The End of an Era

The opera is over. Ramiro was the last role that I will ever perform on the stage of Byrum Hall. It is strange that after six shows with the Boze Lyric Theatre it is all over. I have learned so much since my first show at Anderson University. It is hard to imagine that I was once a cute freshman in a mop-top scared out of her mind. Since then I conquered  (and fell in love with) Benjamin Britten opera and sang my first pants-role. 

Going to a small college, the actors are required to help with tech. This means that I have gotten really good at hanging, focusing, and taking down lighting instruments. I had to take down the lighting instruments in the bays mostly by myself for this show and it took me almost two hours. When I got to the last instrument I almost wanted to cry because I realized that may be the last time I will ever do that: there is no room for the actors to touch the tech in the professional world. 

Though this part of my life is over, I am excited about what lies ahead. And school is not over yet. I still have my senior recital in April. I am looking to my future this weekend as I have another audition for a graduate school. I am trying to juggle looking ahead and staying in the present. At least I love being busy. 

Becoming a Boy

In two days the Boze Lyric Theatre production of La Finta Giardiniera will open in Anderson, Indiana. I will be playing the roll of Don Ramiro, my first pants roll. Ramiro is a young man who is in love with Arminda who at one point returned the sediment. But Don Ramiro becomes devastated when he learns that the woman that he loves and thought loved him in return is set to marry another. There is a happy ending for Ramiro; the Count whom Arminda is to marry marries another giving Don Ramiro the chance to claim the hand of the woman he loves. 

Learning to play a boy has been tough for me. This role is difficult to sing, however trying to be another gender has been even more difficult. I have had to try and learn how to walk like a boy, how to stand like a boy, and how to love like a boy. 

Last night was my final dress rehearsal and was the first time I was in full costume. The costume not only affected the way I viewed myself, but also how the other members of the cast interacted with me. The costume really created for the first time the sense of being different. I found myself sitting and carrying myself differently. My fellow cast members interacted backstage differently with me. Many of the girls found it difficult to talk to me about "girly" things. But through all of this I have learned more about myself and what I am capable of doing. I was worried about at the onset of this role of my ability to find the truth in this role, but I believe that I really have. 

I am ready for opening night. I believe that we all are. I am excited about being able to share this role with an audience.