Some preliminary search

I'm starting to dig through scripts and find monologues. I've got some leads, but there's very little that is catching my attention.

This is all in lieu of being ready for auditions. I want a strong collection of monologues, and I feel ill-prepared for that. Don't even talk to me about songs.

I don't have anything specific lined up for the future. My apprenticeship is over in March, but there are other possibilities in the works for stuff beyond March. I won't delve into that because it's all completely unofficial.

I received a notice for an audition next week that I could maybe try to attend. It's doubtful, especially since it's for an operetta rep. I'm not saying I can't do it, but I'd have to find an accompanist and really work up some songs. It would be

This has all caught me off guard. Right now, at this moment, I don't have anything to worry about because I'll be working on at least two more shows and another project during this apprenticeship. It's difficult to think about what's next.

Still, I've been thinking seriously about MFA programs, and I'm nearly certain I'm going to attend the U/RTA auditions in Chicago next year. That's sooner than you'd think. I mean, we're halfway through September already. WOOSH! I get little hints of how much I would appreciate that kind of education. We have weekly company classes, and I wish I was more diligent about preparing for them. Anyway, we get into little conversations or exercises that make me think and respond and adjust. I love it.

I like to think I'm a good adjuster, and that I can take criticism and notes well. It happened today: we were doing a neutral movement exercise where we start walking as neutrally as possible. When the instructor claps his hands, we stopped. Snap - we squat. Snap - we sit. Snap - we lie down. Snap - start building up. You have to do it as quickly and fluidly as possible. I was getting hung up about arm/hand placement for the squat. The instructor told me to observe another actor and I noticed her hands were hanging off her thighs. My hands were resting on my thighs. He allowed me to figure it out myself, which was striking to me. The second time we did it, I did the same old habit but moved them immediately. He said, "Nice adjustment, Tim." It was great to hear that. And I was able to snap in and out pretty quickly from then on with the correct placement. The exercise was about being able to start in these neutral positions and then build and lean off them when diving into characters.

What I was also gaining was an intense drive to love the learning process. According to Tom Rath's STRENGTHSFINDER 2.0, one of my top five strengths is Learner. The Learner enjoys learning (duh). There's a process of learning that is just as important and invigorating as having that information (which seems to be a trait of Input, my top strength). During the class today, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I enjoy gathering this information and implementing it. There's a minor bit of struggle, but it's all helping and allowing for growth and development.

It's getting late, and I've got a matinee tomorrow, but I may have to share more about Strengthsfinder. It's really interesting, especially when applied to a resident company like the one I work with. We're able to understand each other with a common language.