Watch out! There's an Emma about!

Goodbye.

Emma — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:10:41 +0000

As you can probably tell, I’m no longer using this blog. I have another one, so if you want the URL, you can certainly email me, or get in touch with me somehow. This one just… it’s too much for me.

Goodbye love/Goodbye love/Just came to say/Goodbye love

Who takes I love you back?

Emma — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:45:57 +0000

I just got the email about Measure for Measure callbacks from Amy, the director. While I was not called back, she said it doesn’t mean I wasn’t cast. She said the cast list will drop on Monday, so pray for me for the next few days. I’m going to try to push it to the back of my mind and focus the other things I have going on. Tracy wasn’t able to do my voice lesson today because she was sick, which was too bad, but I’m going out to Manassas on Thursday for a lesson with McCall. She’s married to a friend of mine from UMW who I literally haven’t seen in years, and she does private voice coaching from her house. I’m excited about that, and then I’m going to the Manassas Battlefield to meet with Amanda, who’s going to do some headshots for me. Doing them outside is going to be a lot of fun, I think. Last time it was just in a studio, and those were fun, but this will be a different experience. Tomorrow night I’m going to see Les Miserables again, this time with Gillian, Peter, and his girlfriend. Peter is a friend from The Spanish Tragedy, and he’s been wanting to see the show for a long time, and I promised to take Gill again.

I talked to Erin today, and she mentioned that they’d found a project for me. Background: I’ve been feeling kind of useless at work, because Michelle has her volunteer stuff, and Spencer has his donations stuff and Erin is the boss, so I mentioned that I’d like a project of my own. And boy, did they find me one. The subscription renewal campaign is about to begin, and it’s a HUGE deal. So, my project is spearheading the renewal campaign. Yep, that’s right. I’m in charge of it. Erin will be teaching me for the first couple of months, but after the shows have been announced and we do that mailing, it’ll be mine. Basically, it’s one step closer to moving up to Erin’s job as patron services manager. It’s not what I want to do with my life, but still, this is a big deal! Erin, Kevin and Michelle all said that I’ll be really good at this. It’s nice to know that people see that I’m good at what I do, and want to give me more responsibility. I’m proud of myself. Not only am I doing good things with my acting career, I’m also moving up in my day job.

Well.

Emma — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:36:36 +0000

Jamie is over and Jamie is gone
Jamie decided it’s time to move on
Jamie’s got new dreams he’s building upon
And I’m still hurting

Jamie arrived at the end of the line
Jamie’s convinced that the problems are mine
Jamie is probably feeling just fine
And I’m still hurting

What about lies, Jamie?
What about things
That you swore to be true
What about you, Jamie
What about you

Jamie is sure something wonderful died
Jamie decides it’s his right to decide
Jamie’s got secrets he doesn’t confide
And I’m still hurting

Go and hide and run away
Run away, run and find something better
Go and ride the sun away
Run away like it’s simple
Like it’s right…

Give me a day, Jamie
Bring back the lies
Hang them back on the wall
Maybe I’d see
How you could be
So certain that we
Had no chance at all

Jamie is over and where can I turn?
Covered with scars I did nothing to earn
Maybe there’s somewhere a lesson to learn
But that wouldn’t change the fact
That wouldn’t speed the time
Once the foundation’s cracked
And I’m still hurting…
-The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown

Where words prevail not, violence prevails.

Emma — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:00:07 +0000

Last night was the closing night for The Spanish Tragedy. I wish we could have done it a hundred more times. That was the most phenomenal couple of months ever, and it could not have come at a better time. At the first read through, I was really worried, because I didn’t know anyone and they all knew each other because they’d been working together for so long. I felt like a complete outsider that day, but as soon as rehearsals actually started, and we all started spending time together, we got to know each other and became really close. Everyone opened their arms and their hearts and made me feel like I belonged with them. It helps that the Rudes are all just like me. Most are a bit older than me, but they all look and act like they’re still in college. Dirty jokes were always being cracked and we just had a good time together. I’m going to miss them and the show so, so, so much. Fortunately, they’re doing another show pretty much right away, and I think I’m going to audition for it. Measure for Measure is such a delightfully ridiculous show, and even with all the auditions coming up, I don’t think I’ll have anything to do before May.

Yesterday, I went to the National Gallery of Art with my parents and siblings. They’re hosting a Pompeiian exhibit, and my dad loves that stuff, so it was really interesting to go with him. We all got brunch beforehand, which was fun. William, Lizbeth and I had an impromptu photo shoot while we were waiting for Mom and Dad to get done (see below). My siblings really are the best. Then I went home, grabbed my stuff and went up to College Park, where I got dinner with Katelyn and Will (her boyfriend). The show was freaking fantastic, which was good, because Michael Baron, the casting director for Signature, was in the audience. Along with him, my parents, siblings, grandmother and four of my cousins and her boyfriend were all there. I’m hoping to get some good production photos soon; when I do, I’ll put them up here so those of you who didn’t make it can see it.

In other news… well, I guess that’s it. I’ll keep you updated.

Quotes from The Spanish Tragedy:

“Bitch, be cool!” -Serberine to Bel-Imperia, who is screaming because Lorenzo just killed her boyfriend in front of her.

“Keep swinging, bitch.” -David, to me, because I was being mean about him being so old.

“How does one go about smoking meat?” -Jaki, who thought we were talking about actually smoking meat, like a cigarette, not like getting it ready to eat.

There are tons of others, but those are some of my favorites.

Ughh…

Emma — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:15:17 +0000

I took a bullet today. Not literally, of course, but that might have felt better. I got a phone call this afternoon, and it was from Duffy’s restaurant in Hagerstown. Bobby and I were looking at having our reception there back when we were getting married, and the guy called to see if we’d found a place for the wedding. So I had to tell the poor man that we’d broken up, and he felt really bad. It was a tough phone call.

And when I shall die…

Emma — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:39:25 +0000

During the day, I always have really good things to talk about here, but then as soon as I get to my computer, I forget it all. Just goes to show how great my memory is. I’m pretty sure I wanted to talk about how things are going. Oh yeah! I was reading Ashley’s blog today, and she was saying how she’s had her heart broken, but still moves on, and was able to fall in love again. It was great to read that, because, while I’m doing really well, there are still some days where I get really sad and down on myself over what happened. So, Ashley, I have no idea if you read this, but if you do, thank you!! I have more and more good days, which I never thought would happen. This just shows me that, no matter what, I can take anything that life gives me. I am strong, I am beautiful, and I’m going to live my life on my terms. It sounds cliche, but what’s going to happen will happen. One thing I’m really bad about is trying to push things into the way I want them. That’s not the way things work though; I’m sure you reading this already knows that. No matter how much I try to control what happens, I can’t. I have been extremely lucky in my life so far, with amazing friends, a family that adores me, and some amazing opportunities. I just have to keep my head high and my dreams in the forefront of my mind.

Amazingly enough, the cast of The Spanish Tragedy has really helped me through this. At first, I was sure that I wasn’t going to have anything in common with any of them. They were strangers, and we all know how good I am at interacting with strangers. However, as the weeks went by, I got to know them and we slowly became really close. They, as a company, have been working together for years and are incredibly close, but they opened their arms and let me into their circle. Even they say I’ve become one of them! Each and every one of them went out of their way to make sure that I was doing okay and having fun. Now, I don’t know what I’m going to do without them. Getting cast in this show could not have come at a better time. I’m going to be really sad this weekend when we close the show. It has been so good! I’m so proud of myself and everyone else. We came together and really pulled this off.

I have a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks. My Leagues audition is on February 10 at 430pm (send prayers that day!), and that is a HUGE deal. I had to take 60 headshots and resumes to Round House Theatre in Bethesda because that’s how many theatres will be represented at the audition. So I have 90 seconds to impress these people enough that they’ll want to put me in one of their shows. Then, on February 23, I’m auditioning for The Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. Yes, Kentucky. They have a great apprentice program, which is what I’ll be auditioning for. In March, I’ll be scheduling an audition for Overtures at Signature. That’s a 2-week intensive musical theatre program that we offer and I really want to do. They’ve had all kinds of big-names come in for classes. I’m also sending in an application for the Shakespeare Theatre’s fellowship program. I figure something has to come from all of this!

Inauguration

Emma — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:17:06 +0000

So, I just got back from the city and man, was it insane. There were so many people!! It was crazy. William and Camila got here around 730pm last night, and after I got done at work and took Michelle to the metro, we went to Guapo’s and got dinner. So yummy. They’ve really made up for that time they were so slow and awful when Bobby and I went. Almost as soon as we got back to my apartment, we went to bed, because we had our alarms set for 330am. We were out the door by 4am, and at the Van Dorn metro station by 430am. Even though it was the most ungodly hour ever, there were already thousands of people on the Mall. Since we were on the Mall by about 515am, we got a pretty good spot. It was really cold, and we huddled together to keep warm. We also had to do that because there was no room to move around. There were a bunch of people sleeping on the ground, and people kept pushing through and trying to get from one place to another. That wasn’t as much a problem by 9am, because the sun was up and most people were, too. Finally, at 1130am, the swearing in began. It was short and sweet, fortunately. Barack’s speech was beautiful; that man is such a great speaker. I love listening to him. When that was done, the hundreds of thousands of people immediately ran for the metro, but we did eventually get home. I’m glad that I went, even though most of the day was pretty miserable. To be there was amazing, and something that I’ll get to tell me kids about, if and when I have them. What a day for America!!!

I need to get it out of my system

Emma — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:22:33 +0000

Maybe she’s what you prefer

But hey last year I was her

Maybe you will change your mind

But you might look up to find

I’ve gone on to better things

Better jobs or bigger rings

I don’t have the time to cry

I’m too busy lovin’ my name up on that list…

Thank you, Legally Blonde, for having a song that exactly says how I’m feeling these days. It’s been one hell of a week, to say the least. On Wednesday, I found out that the opening for my show had been pushed back to Friday. In the end, it was probably better, because there were a lot of things that were not ready for an audience. However, when we did open, it was pretty brilliant. After the show, I went out to a diner with a bunch of the cast until like 1230am and met a guy who knows Vanessa Morosco. Small world. The show on Saturday was even better. We had a bigger audience, and there was just a better energy. I think it was knowing we could do it with people watching.

Of course, at the same time as all of this, I was at work for 8-11 hours a day. Thursday and Friday were 8, Saturday and Sunday were 10 and today was 11. I usually have Sunday off, but Shawn is out of town and I need the money. Fortunately, I’m currently looking at a 3-day weekend!! William and Camila came into town earlier this evening. All three of us are going to the Inauguration tomorrow. In fact, we’ll be leaving my apartment in about 5 hours. It’ll be cold and there will be a million people, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun. Then it’s back to College Park on Thursday!

Natural High

Emma — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:45:12 +0000

I literally just got home from the first performance of The Spanish Tragedy. It was so amazing! I’m so proud of the cast and so impressed with everything that we’ve accomplished. The moment those lights went down and the dialogue started, I felt the most phenomenal rush of adrenaline. For me, being on stage is like a drug. It does what drugs do for people who use them. I feel powerful, confident, and on top of the world. It’s incredible. I love it. That’s the reason that I do this, and the reason that I want this to be my career. I don’t think I will ever get tired of the feeling that I get, and I hope I never lose it. Afterward, most of us went over to this little dive called Plato’s Diner, and just hung out and had a good time. I’m so glad that I went to that audition. At the time, I didn’t know if it was going to be worth it to travel over there all the time, but it so was. I’ve made friends, gotten great experience and just had a really good time.

Yesterday before rehearsal I took my headshots and resumes – all 60 of them, stapled together – to Round House Theatre in Bethesda. That’s where Leagues are going to be in February, and we had to get them in by Friday at 5pm or we’d lose our audition spot. When I say we, I mean those of us auditioning. I’d never been to the theatre, and it looks like it’s pretty nice. I’m really excited about the audition; Leagues is a huge deal. Each one of those headshots goes to a different representative from a theatre around the area, so that’s how big it is. I think I have my song and monologue picked out. Hopefully Tracy will be able to help me with the song.

So that’s the news for now! Good night!

2009

Emma — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:45:40 +0000

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

-Neil Gaiman