Making a musical 20: The Showcase!

So, it finally happened.
After 9 long weeks (well, it felt long), we finally performed our 'masterpiece' to room full of people.
Was it perfect? Did it go off without a hitch? Hahaha! We wish.
But did we have fun? HELLS YEAH!

Okay, so, we knew there were going to be problems right from the start. Firstly, the left speaker kept blowing, so the music was very muffled for the start. Then, the microphone wasn't on, so people were trying to sing over the music, which wasn't the easiest thing to do. And if that wasn't enough, the disc skipped! Arghhh!
Imagine - mid dance routine, and the disc skips... what does one do? We were all so confused.
But we just picked up and carried on. But the disc did skip about 3 times during the whole thing. lol.
Oh, and wait, on top of ALL that, I (yes... ME) started singing a part too early. And some people joined me... and that was a shambles! lol.

But luckily most of this all happened really early in the first song, and the rest of the show was pretty much awesome (shambles again during "You can't stop the beat", but I thought that recovery was pretty cool!).
Also, I THINK my solo's went down quite well, and I'm very pleased about that :)

Behold the fruits of my labour!

So, where does that leave me? Well, I am now the proud recipient of a certificate outlining my achievement in completing the 10 week course; however I am also free of a Monday night :(
Yes, once again the fear of a dance-less existence has overcome me. I'm going to be doing intermediate musical theatre in October, but between now till then, I wasn't planning on doing anything... however, the very thought of no dance classes for 5 months makes me very sad indeed...

So (haha, you knew this was coming), I MAY enrol for beginners street dance (as you remember, it's my favourite type of dance) which starts on the 22nd of July for 6 weeks.
That will take me up until September, and I will then try to control my dance urges until October (it's only one month... we'll see... haha).

So now the decision I have to make is do I enrol in street or not??

Making a musical 19: The three-hour extravaganza

Yes, last night's musical theatre class was extended to three hours as next Monday is our showcase, and with so much still left to learn and to fine-tune, I was seriously worried we wouldn't be ready.

We still had four pieces from Les Mis to work through, three of them we had no idea what we were doing - and we kept forgetting the words for the other one (well, I did anyway! lol); not to mention the mega 8 minute long Joseph and Hairspray songs!

Without wasting too much time, we went through a lightning fast vocal warm-up and then straight into the lyrics for Hairspray (which I now more or less know... well, I should considering we're performing it next week!).
After that, we did the vocals for the Les Mis songs, and then to the dancing! Oh the dancing :D

A full run-through of the Les Mis pieces actually went quite well. Simply because there wasn't really any dancing, and it was just a case of remembering the lyrics (which I STILL can't do when moving about).
And then we did a run-through of Hairspray. Well, we cut it up first, and went through each section slowly, which was a great help as we were able to fine tune some moves, and change others that were proving too difficult (although I was upset that this little ballet type move got taken out, as I worked really hard to perfecting that, lol). In the end, we actually managed to do it - and then the curtains came across.

So basically what happened was this: Mark (the instructor) pulled the curtains over the mirror so we couldn't see what we were doing. Now, this is vital to any performance, because in a dance studio, you become very comfortable looking in the mirror, and that way, you can always keep an eye on everyone else to make sure you're doing the right thing.
But with the mirror gone (as it would be on stage), you have to start getting into the mindset of actually performing as an individual, but in a group. You can't really look to anyone else for cues, and you also have to think about looking at the audience.
Personally, I am very lucky in this respect, and I'll tell you why.
When I did beginners dance, the room was small, and I always used to find myself on the far left hand side, where the door was, so I could never look at the mirror.
So, my dance education began not looking in a mirror, and now, when faced with a mirror, I don't really bother looking. I try to keep my eyes high as I would on stage (fire-exit level as Mark would say).
But of course, not everyone had had this experience, and so there were ample gasps of fear as the curtains were pulled across.

After Hairspray we ran through the entire show, and I forgot all my solo parts for Joseph which was not exactly great, but I smiled the whole time despite singing the wrong words at the wrong times! lol.
During the Hairspray song in the final run I also managed to get a duet for the role of Edna which was great, because it was a role I was thinking of auditioning for before, but felt I ought to give someone else a chance to take a lead. lol.

So, all in all I can say this: After the 3 hours, I was amazed at how incredibly we'd come together as a class. Some of us had never danced before, others had never sung, and yet together we were simply AWESOME!
I personally can't WAIT for next week's showcase, and if you fancy coming along, please do as it's FREE! haha.

It's next Monday (29th June 2009) at the Old Finsbury Town Hall (AKA Urdang Academy) on Rosebury Avenue, and it starts at 8.
Hope to see you there :)

Making a musical 18: Jamaican accents and the first song!

Huzzah!
I finally got my singing solo part, and it's one of the ones that I really wanted.
Alas, the Elvis solo in the Joseph megamix was denied to me, however I managed to get my second favourite singing part which I actually have to put on a Jamaican accent for... I think I pulled it off quite well.
Either way, I got the part, so I'm happy :D

We advanced in our dancing, however, we're still only working on two songs, and we have to do about 5!! With only 3 more weeks left!!! How will we manage?
I have faith though, so it's okay.

In other news, I spoke to my dance instructor (Mark) about my musical. I figured that since the article about me was now published, it was only a matter of time before he found out what I was up to. Anyway, I ran my idea by him, and he seemed to think it was worth doing.
We both got really excited about musical related things, and since, I've had no end of inspiration.

Having now got the entire story down on paper, words started flowing through my mind, and I started writing lyrics on the bus this morning. I'm actually very happy with them. I showed them to a couple of people, and I got laughter and approval, so I think I'm on the right path to success :D

It's only a matter of time now before it's all completed. Once done, I'll run it by City Academy, and then see what they can do for me in terms of putting it on stage!

Making a musical 16: Back on the horse!

As you may be able to surmise from the title of this blog, things are back on track for me in the world of musical theatre!
Last night's class was an incredible improvement from the previous week. My voice was much better, louder, in tune; and my dancing was also a lot better (although my Hairspray routine still needs a lot of improvement). What made it exceptionally great however, was the fact that the boys (yes, us) had the opportunity to do a dance of our own, and guess what it was... the Linde Hop! A dance I very much loved from beginners class last semester. In fact, it's the same routine we did from that class, so I already knew it, which was a bonus.
Obviously, in my current condition, I could not do the lifts, but when I'm better (hopefully by the show), I'll have no problems doing those either.

It's so nice to be able to do a dance that's remotely technical. After moving down to the simple dance routine (to be alongside the other guys), I've been feeling rather underused (this coming from the guy who completely refused to dance a few months ago). I think I have a lot more to offer, dance-wise, and if you see the routine I'm doing now for the beginning of Joseph... well... I don't find it challenging at all; and I was seriously starting to get a bit bummed out.
BUT, now with the Linde Hop, I feel there has been some justice at last.

Singing-wise, the auditions for the next male parts are next Monday, which is when I'll be auditioning for the Jamaican-esque segment from the Joseph Megamix; and I'm considering perhaps trying out for the Edna part from Hairspray - but I seriously need to work on my voice for that... I have a week. I have no problems auditioning for singing, even though I know I'm not a great singer; I just hope the same thing as last week doesn't happen again.

But all in all, I'm quite happy. Last night's class left me on a high, which is what it should have done - which is what I missed after the previous class. So now, onwards and upwards. Bring on next week!

Making a musical 15: The disaster class!!!

You know, how in like loads of TV shows, or in certain films; there's like the 'disaster' show/film/segment?
A great example of this is Back to the Future 2; or Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back. It's complete pain, misery - one bad thing after the next; ending on a cliff hanger, with no feeling of hope for a happy ending.

Well, last night's musical theatre class was my disaster class! Perhaps disaster is too strong a word, but I figure that if I'm going to be partaking in theatre type stuff, I should at least start acting theatrical, and over-dramatic!

So anyway, it started off with my voice. It was a mess. I knew from the start, when we were doing the vocal warm ups, that I was totally off. I'm not a good singer anyway, but I could feel the tickle in the back of my throat, and it just was not a promising sign - especially since we were semi-auditioning for the solo parts in Joseph; and I really wanted the Pharaoh solo; which I have been practising 3 weeks for.
Obviously, when it came down to it, I just couldn't even hit the right key; and much to my disappointment, I had to/volunteered to give the part away to someone else.
After that, I was just totally embarrassed and so not with it.

When it came to dancing, my timing was a complete shambles. My moves were off. I forgot so much (and this is to the dance of hairspray, which I know inside out). Despite my love for dance, I just didn't want to be there. I couldn't look anyone in the eye and I couldn't wait for the class to be over.
It was the slowest two hours ever.

It has totally scared the hell out of me for auditioning again next week for the other solo part. I mean, I know my singing isn't great - but I worked really hard for that part, and I know I could have nailed it any other time.
Alas... I suppose that's what happens.

BUT not all hope is lost.
In the world of creating a musical, I have FINALLY come up with a story line (with the help of my friend Jenny) I am happy with. As soon as I finish my current screenplay (hopefully by the end of this week), I will start working on the musical.

Now, a little bit about the musical since my last blog on the subject - I'm going to write it for the stage. It's going to be about 40mins-1 hour long. The story line is completely genius, but I don't want to give too much away before I actually start writing it. It'll be a lot of music, and not really much dialogue - which is totally different from the film I was writing.

I have a few contacts now from dance class and musical theatre, which I'm hoping to use to get cast and venue etc...
I've already got all these lyrics flying around in my head. I'm hoping it will be entertaining, funny, and original. It's not going to be easy, but then when have I ever taken on an easy task?

If all goes well, and please do keep your fingers crossed, I'll have a production in place by the end of the year.

So maybe this post isn't complete disaster, because there is some hope... for my musical at least :)

Making a musical 12: The last class

Yes, it's true... it's all over :(
The final class was on Tuesday, and now, dance lessons are over.
It is indeed a sad sad time. What will I do with my Tuesday evenings now?

I've learnt so much considering how little natural rhythm I have, and the fact that I've only been going to classes for 12 weeks,
I've already performed a routine in front of 1,500 people, and I've learnt the basics of street, salsa, tap, musical theatre, and the Linde Hop - not forgetting the routine to Saturday Night Fever!

All in all, it was money well spent; and now I have some great ideas for the musical... but that's not all!

A new class is starting at the end of April at the same place, and it's a class dedicated to musical theatre. That means, in 12 weeks, they'll cover singing, dancing and acting - ending in a performance at the Saddlers Wells!

It really is perfect for me!
But the only thing that's holding me back at the moment is the commitment of the money... but I think it will be SO worth it! Especially as it's the same teacher we've had for dance, and some people from the dance class will be doing it too!

What do you reckon?
Do I take it, or do you think I've had enough for now?

Making a musical 10: Lemon Merengue pie anyone?

I have been getting so used to going dancing on Monday and Tuesday nights, that I'm really sad now because Monday night classes finished this week.
The final show is this Sunday, after which we will of course require no more rehearsals :(
We do get an extra rehearsal day on Saturday, but it's going to be very strange having Monday nights free again.

I don't even want to think about performing at the show, because it will just make me really nervous... oh wait... too late!
Dancing in front of 1,500 people, when you can't dance is not exactly something I want to be remembered for doing.
But then again - this is exactly why I wanted to do dance isn't it? To practise, to learn, to perform - all in preparation for the musical. I just think it's all a little too soon. I've been dancing a total of 7 weeks so far, and I'm going to be performing in a show. I thought I'd have at least six months of lessons before being ready to do anything like this.

Anyway, enough of that. So, Monday was the performance rehearsal, but Tuesday was another class of Latin dance magic!
Last week we did salsa, which was awesome. And we did some more advanced salsa last night (yes, I can spin and I'm learning to lead); but we also did another dance called Merengue (not the dessert! It's pronounced "Meranga").
It's a dance from Puerto Rico, and it's actually very simple, but also quite fast - yet surprisingly relaxing compared to Monday's rehearsal.

I'm getting ready now for some proper Latin dancing. I think it's time to go out and hit the dance floor with some crazy Latin moves (he says as trips over his own two left feet) haha!

It never ceases to amaze me, how much love I have developed for dance in such a short time. I just want to know more.
Oh yeah, and guess what next week is?...
TAP!
Public transport beware.

Making a musical 9: This salsa is so hoTT - can someone pass the chips please...

So, things are underway for the show, which is next Sunday at the Hackney Empire. With only 3 weeks of practise, it's starting to look really good. We have only next Monday left, and then the show... I think we're trying to get another slot booked for next Saturday; but other than that, it's just one more practise.

The dance is about 5 minutes, which may not seem like much; but when you're doing a routine for 5 minutes straight, and you've only had 4 days of lessons, spread over 4 weeks, it's pretty difficult, not to mention tiring. But, it's sooooooo much FUN! hehe.

Anyway, I digress. What I wanted to write about was our Tuesday (yesterday) class. If you remember, the beginners dance class I'm taking involves a mixture of different dance techniques. So far we have done basic street, musical theatre, and choreography... and last night, we started... yes, that's right: ¡SALSA!

I think the word "fun" doesn't even begin to cover it. I mean... AWESOME would be closer to the mark. I most defo want to do more salsa in the future. We only did a few basics, but already I could feel myself picking it up, and I just don't want to stop.

Yet another set of moves for me to showcase on public transport :D

Making a musical 8: Choreographing dance

Amazing! That is the word of the day, week, month and year!
It is also the only word I can use to describe last nights' dance class.
After 5 weeks of classes, we were set an assessment - work in small groups, and create your own 8-bar dance; and then teach it to the rest of the group.

As you can already tell, I was LOVIN' it! The rest of the group were so scared about thinking up a routine, but it's what I've been working toward the moment I started this class. Suddenly, all my street dancing, bus dancing, tube dancing, and dancing in my head; was put to use!

My routine was pretty simple looking, but I think it was a bit too ambitious. In the end, I even messed it up in the final performance (lol), but I learned one thing - I'm actually not a bad choreographer. I mean, I got the group doing it in the end, so that's an achievement. And it was a first try. So, nothing will dampen my spirits of what I managed to accomplish.

Imagine... 6 weeks ago I could barely put one foot in front of the other... now I'm choreographing?? I LOVE DANCE!

Making a musical 7: Dance class... week 5

Apologies for there not being an update sooner. Things have been hectic.
Since my last post, things have been going swimmingly. We did more street dancing, and then started on musical theatre - and one of the greatest routines... "You can't stop the beat" from Hairspray. Such joy :)

So, here's the exciting news. A few weeks ago, our instructor tells us that City Academy (where we go) are putting on a show at the Hackney Empire in March; and they want some of the beginners to do a routine.
As there are no guys getting involved, the teacher tells Marc and myself to go for it.
'Going for it' means extra dance classes on a Monday night, and a crazy medley routine to Saturday Night Fever!

Needless to say, Marc was up for it. I took some convincing - because, despite everything; I still have no rhythm, and it takes me AGES to learn any routine, be it even 3 steps.

On Monday, we attended the first extra class... and it was AMAZING! In fact, it overshadowed all the other classes. It was 2 hours of straight dance. By the next day, I was aching. But I can happily say that Marc and I were MUCH better than all the girls in the class... and that takes some doing.
I am now just going to model my life on dance and John Travolta. haha.
I've already started dancing on the street, and the bus. What's next I wonder?

Making a musical 5: Dance class 1

This week, Marc and I had our first dance class... yes, I was dancing! Well, more like "dancing".
Okay, seriously - try to picture this: a class full of girls; there's Marc and I - and from all them, I'm the only one who can't dance.
The instructor is a hero, in fact, he's just like Marc - but older and fatter. Funnily enough, his name is also Mark!
Anyway, he was going through what I felt were extremely complicated dance steps, really quickly, and I just couldn't pick them up. It was all so fast. I needed like 3 times as long as everyone else to attempt to memorise the moves. And the rest of the class were dancing like pro's, in like 3 minutes :S
Give me a musical instrument, or some abstract philosophical concept - I'll pick it up really quickly - but motor movements... I'm afraid not.
I officially have no co-ordination. I mean, I knew that from before, but I know it more now, lol.

But still, it's all good. It was an awesome class, and a lot of fun. Perfect preparation for making the musical - I know a dance routine now! Wooooo! Won't be long before I'm making my own steps! hehe. (obviously they will be so much easier to do).
It's a great experience - and the warm up we did before the class was insanely extreme. I've NEVER done such a hard work out in my life. I was dead before I even started dancing!
But, I so can't wait for next week.
There'll be updates on here for sure... maybe pictures?? hehe.
We'll see.

Until then... step, clap, jump, spin!

Making a musical 4: The fear sets in

Okay, so now the fear has set in.
The sheer enormity of the scale of what I am trying to achieve has finally hit me, akin to the way the apple hit Newton under that tree so many years ago.
How the devil am I going to pull this off?
I mean, seriously, this is like the hardest thing I've ever conceived of undertaking.

To write a musical is one thing (which is coming along great actually), but then think of the music... the dancing... the acting... the filming... the dedication and time it will take of so many people that I can't afford to pay.

My biggest fear is that I'll push loads of money into this production, and be let down by people who say they're committed, but then flake - which is to be understood. I mean, when you're not getting paid, and someone is taking your time up for like 6 months, it's very easy to turn around and quit.
And that's just it, it's not a short production. It's going to be time consuming -because everyone needs to learn to dance, and the singing needs to be done. And then memorising your lines as well as dances... I mean, imagine how long that will take? 6 months? 8 months?
Who can stay committed for that long, when they're not being paid?

So what do I do?
Does anyone have any words of reassurance for me?
Any film makers out there got any tips?

Making a musical 2: Script work

Here I sit, a year and a half before I plan to start filming. I have plenty of time to organise things, the music, the actors, the dancing (oooooh! I have booked dance lessons that start in January and run for 12 weeks! WOOOOOO), etc...
Everything is going to plan...
... Well, almost everything. There is a slight problem.
I have writers block :(
Typical right? All the time in the world, and yet, you can't write a word.
Every line I write, I delete, because it's just dry. I feel like one of those novelists who sit around by candle light, staring at a blank piece of paper in a typewriter, with hundreds of pages scrunched up on the floor around his feet -except there's fluorescent lights in here, and I'm sitting at a Mac... and there's no paper -but you get the picture.

Writing has always been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember... but for as long as I've been passionate about writing, I've also had inspirational problems. It starts off brilliantly, but soon my creativity dies and I'm stuck with unfinished stories and half written plays.
Obviously, that can't happen with the musical, as I've already started plugging money into this, and it's amazing how much of a motivator finance is! lol.
Still though, motivation doesn't equal inspiration.
I know the entire story of the film, I know where I need to go from where I am... the only problem is, I can't get there through words!

So, if you have anything to say that inspirational, please do go ahead and let me know!
Saying that though, writing this blog is inspiring me... but only to write another blog! lol.
HELP ME people!

In other musical related news, I hope I have found another choreographer to work with Marc (you know who you are!), and hopefully some more dancers.
I still need anyone who can dance or even slightly act.
Please do pass this message on to friends, and friends of friends:
If you want to be in a film, and not get paid - but get treated like an actor (dressing room not included), and be a STAR*, then PLEASE get in touch with me ASAP!
I need to audition early next year.
There's a lot of work to be done - vocal coaching, dance coaching, etc...

Thanks all for reading. Please pass it on :D

-Mo

*Star status may or may not be achieved.