Coffee and Cream

Are you ready to sacrifice

who you are

for what you will become?

-Eric Thomas

To say the least, it has certainly been a thrilling three weeks. ALREADY three weeks?! This studio truly lives by its belief that "Growth as an actor and growth as a human being are synonymous." In both cases, I have learned that I have a ways to go. 

Summer Conservatory Group "Best"

My Summer Schedule:

Movement 

Voice and Speech

Script Interpretation

Scene Study

Adler Technique 

Shakespeare

Improvisation

Acting for Film and Television

My favorite classes are Adler Technique, Scene Study and Acting for Film/TV. These classes have really exposed my weaknesses as an actor (and person) in surprising and cathartic ways. I equally struggle with being too guarded and too apologetic - possibly partly due to my stoic and overly polite Midwestern roots... but mostly I think its just me. And it is a part of me I'm finding surprisingly difficult to sacrifice in order to grow. 

You would think vulnerability wouldn't be so hard to come by in a group as supportive as mine - but I'm sure I'll get there. I take every class (except for Film/TV) with the same fifteen students with roots sprinkled all over the country and globe. With students from Russia, China, Australia, Sweden, Peru, Italy and the US, we're pretty sure we have the most diverse group. 

NYC is a magical wonderful city. I got to start out my time here with my incredible friend Anne and her adorable puppy Jax. For any other NYC newcomers who plan on moving here, I highly recommend starting out this way (with a friend). I was so overwhelmed trying to choose an apartment from hundreds of miles away. Most subletters like to meet in person before handing over the keys and contract. But there's new listings every day (especially on Gypsy Housing, which is specifically for people in the performance industry) and its not hard to find something once you are here. I got especially lucky as I'm now in a place in Astoria, Queens - connected with friends of Janette and Joe. (Thank you!!) Its beautiful, comfortable and quiet and my roommates are very sweet. And a few blocks away, I can find Katelynn (from SoDak) and one of my Stella classmates.  I feel right at home in "Actoria." This apartment has actually been nicknamed the "House of Actor Dreams" just because so many artists have been in and out working on projects throughout the last however many years. Feels good to be a part of that. 

Also, this town is traditionally Greek, so I'm super stoked about the food. 

When I'm not in classes, I'm either rehearsing with scene partners, reading plays for class, exploring the city, or seeing a show. So far, I have seen The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and On the Town. 

Other life updates: I don't put sugar in my coffee as often (Stumptown is the BEST) and I part my hair on the other side. Crazy. I know. 

I hope all my friends from home are doing spectacularly! Miss you oodles and thank you SO MUCH for continually supporting me. Love you. -Debz

Thin Spread

They say you haven't lived until you've been lost in NYC (and by "they," I mean the board of directors inside my head who occasionally review how well I am living my life) and well... I can say I have lived now. Specifically, I got lost in the subways. By myself. And my phone died in the midst of it. Welcome to the story of my life! Obviously, I am now alive and well. Thank you, God, for bringing me back to my apartment safely!

I'm so grateful to be in this city with Kim. She is basically South Dakota's Elizabeth Gilbert as far as being an expert adventurer goes. One of the great parts about being here with her is that though she knows the city well enough to show us around, there's still enough she doesn't know that makes the art of exploration an adventure we all share! Of course, that could even be more of a statement about the wonder of NYC - there's always something new to see! When Liz and I went to Bali, exploration was not exactly our greatest skill (especially considering it was our first major journey on our own). TIP: For amateur adventurers, its a good idea to start with some sort of guide who's at least relatively familiar with the area. But man, I would love to figure out how travel like she does on my own. I think that will be my adventure guide goal! Because unfortunately, I'm not gonna be able to pack her up for every journey I make. However Kim has taught me an excellent TIP: Cities like NYC are too darn big to wander aimlessly all the time. Ask around for recommendations for places to eat and see. And ask those people questions about their lives. You never know when you'll meet your new best friend!

Despite my befuddlement at direction, I have still managed to find some clarity in my life on this journey. At least, as clear as clarity gets in the cloudy night NYC skies. I've done some serious reflection  on what I might want to do after I graduate USF. There’s a few people I know from Sioux Falls who moved straight to NYC after graduating which is totally awesomely cool. Fantastic! But it makes me sad (not on their behalf, but rather on society’s) that a so many people with talent for theater just hone to the same cities. Chicago and New York and Minneapolis and LA (sort of). The talent is glopped like unspread jelly in a few places and everywhere else in the country is kind of screwed. it's time to spread it out a little more! Why not share your talents in your own home? Do what you love where you are as best you can? Now keep in mind that I am not discouraging people from living their dreams or moving to a new place. But I think feel called to stay in the Midwest. At least, for now.

My Tentative Post-Graduate Plans in an Ideal World

1) Do theater in the Twin Cities

2) As well as be a journalist type thing for money

3) Become successful

4) Still continue traveling and being young throughout this

5) Maybe do grad school?

6) Become successful enough to be called to NYC

7) Continue making money doing theater

8) Eventually grow bored

9)  Instantly hired to be a teacher in the midwest somewhere

10) Die sometime and have an epic party funeral

The end. In a nutshell. :)