Update 9/29

Today I finished filming my prescreens! I did dance at the studio on Saturday, along with one take of each monologue. My songs were filmed with my voice teacher a week before. We (I say we because my mom paid) hired a videographer (someone I work with) because no one in my family knows anything about editing or has decent equipment (like, the best equipment we have is my 5 MP phone camera). I may post videos of my prescreens later, but they are definitely flawed. Ah well! I am a flawed human!
I am not a dancer-dancer, and anything beyond a double pirouette is pretty much beyond me, so I have no idea how I choreographed my own dance prescreen. It is a little over a minute and I am only submitting it to two schools (for the rest it is optional). I watched the video today and while I was satisfied with how most of the actual dance looked, I was terribly disappointed by my lack of a facial expression during the entire thing! Ugh. I can't refilm it now so I'm just going to thank God it's only for two schools.
The monologues went really well today but personal statements and intros were honestly hellish! I said "um" a LOT and I kept forgetting important points I was planning to make. Blehhhh.
I was supposed to submit apps and prescreens before October 1st, and it might still happen but I haven't even turned in the form that my mom has to sign in order for my counselor to send my transcripts...oops!
We also went over the possible audition schedule today which was interesting. It seems like 15 schools could actually work. But it probably won't end up that many, seeing as that includes 9 prescreen schools. I e-mailed Indiana and American with the first bits of information so I can get a confirmed audition date (AU) and submit my prescreen (IU).
I also submitted to UArts yesterday! They are waiving the application fee through September 30th, so I went for it! The app was super easy to fill out. I have been pleasantly surprised but a lot of non common app schools. They are not very difficult or time-consuming, and with the exception of ApplyTexas, quite easy to use.
UGH, I want to do nothing but audition for/apply to college!!! I am having so much fun! I am loving this excuse to prepare/perform songs and monologues!

Another Opening, Another Show (Or Not)

Shows were the only acting training I had for so long. I was never in tons--usually two or three a year--but they ruled my life anyway. After my freshman year (when I was in way more shows than usual!) I decided there were other things that needed my attention more. First, I started dancing more. I finally restarted ballet (which has helped me so much) and tap. I also took two acting classes, got a job, and started going to whatever workshops I could. I still participated in my school show, but I also realized I didn't have to depend on other people to cast me in roles that would benefit me.

In addition to outside training, I put on my own cabaret performance as a fund raiser for my Africa trip. It was tough being a director/producer but I am so glad I did it! In addition to raising money, my friends and I got a chance to perform.

I would never advise anyone to give up shows, but if you want to continue doing MT in college, think about what each one is going to offer you. You do not owe it to anyone to be in shows! Of course, shows are fun. But if the only benefit is social time, think again. I personally went for shows where there were people I would learn from. That meant not being a lead most of the time, but that was okay as long as I was learning. It's so okay not to be a lead all the time. Just think carefully about what you are choosing to do with your time. :)

This year I'm not doing ANY shows (at least, not right now). I miss it, but I just can't stretch myself that thin right now. AP English is a full time job as it is. I was not going to be the lead in my high school musical, which is fine. I'm actually glad I wasn't the star of my high school/area, because I don't have unrealistic ideas about my talent level (part of that comes from seeing shows and doing research though). Admittedly, hearing "every kid auditioning for college MT programs had the lead in their high school musical!" is not a huge confidence boost, but you know what? There is nothing I could have done about any of those shows. I could come up with excuses like directorial bias and illness and typecasting and "there's just a lot of talent in my school", but what is the point? I wasn't right or good enough or whatever, and that's okay. It's okay not to get every part, it's okay not to get ANY part, it's okay not to spend your time trying. The important thing is improvement. Go forth and improve, friends.

Starting Here, Starting Now

I first heard of the college audition process at a workshop with my current voice teacher, just before he became my voice teacher.  I took the city bus there; I was very committed (public transportation is TERRIBLE here). I asked if activities mattered (oh, the days when I cared!) and he said they helped because you had to apply to the school as well as the program. He gave an example of a swimmer who had gone to college for theatre. I was like, "what? I have to play a sport now? But I just want to perform!" Spoiler alert: I did not join a sports team. That is a stupid reason to join a sports team. Play sports if you like sports (and have no life because they are SO TIME-CONSUMING AT MY SCHOOL).

A year later I took /another/ workshop with a director I had worked with in the past. Her daughter had auditioned for college the year before (she is now an Ithaca MT) and all the information she gave changed my life. I started researching schools that week. I took like 30 pages of notes and I sleep with them sometimes. They are my Bible. Don't make fun of me, this dedication will make me a STAR!!!! ving artist.

Anyway, it began. I bought I Got In and that other purple one with the long title. I memorized them, pretty much. And sometime around there I discovered College Confidential and spent hours reading about everything. I wish I was exaggerating. This is actually really embarrassing. I'm going now. 

HERE I AM

Hi, people of the future! As you know if you read the blog description, I will be spending this year applying to/auditioning for some musical theatre college programs. Before I start to talk about what has happened so far and is going to happen soon, here is a little bit about me.
(I assume you know a bit about musical theatre if you're reading this. If you don't...Google? I wouldn't know where to begin!)
SO. My name is Abigail Morris and I am a senior in high school from Vermont.  My family is ridiculously musical so I have grown up around the arts. I could sing A before I could talk. I have been doing legit theatre since I was about 7, but before that I just made up my own! (I had LOTS of talented beanie babies.) I've only done local shows, but last summer I went to Circle in the Square Theatre School's summer intensive. I am an actor first, then singer and dancer. I think acting should always come first (more on this later for sure), and I've always been in singing and dance lessons /for/ musical theatre. If you were wondering I'm probably a soprano belter (???? labels) (it's complicated) and a character actor of some kind. I'm not a great dancer and I definitely don't look like one but I have a little training and can pick up choreography.
Nontheatre things (isn't everything a theatre thing though?): I work at a local pizza place (goodtimescafevt.com everyone), I went on a service trip to Africa, and I am a downhill skier. When I see those things on paper I am always a little surprised that they are not theatre related...but like I said, everything is. Theatre is about people. Art is about the world. I am a person. I live in the world. There you go.
I may or may not decide to make fun MT themed post titles so I picked an ambiguous one for this first post. It's a little bit introduction, a little bit Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.