So, Here's The News

I was doing a little blog reading tonight and discovered that a number of people are linking to this blog that I had no idea were linking to me. So thanks all y'all! I had plans to completely dismiss this blog, but knowing that there are a few curious souls out there makes me want to write more. Because I'd like to. Write more, I mean. But I'm not ready to make any huge promises because in a week or so I'll be entering what's called "busy season."

On January 30th, rehearsals for "Kiss Me, Kate" will begin. I'll be playing the role of Fred/Petruchio. I'm extremely excited about this as it will mark my first major leading role in a mainstage play here at UCI and also my first major experience acting and singing at the same time. For a long time in undergrad and afterwards, I sort of poo-pooed musical theatre. I thought it was silly and trite and not worth much. But in the last few months, my opinion has changed drastically. After learning about the history of the American musical and seeing some exceptionally good musical theatre I realized that everything excellent about the "gritty," "real," and whatever other words I would have used to describe the productions I formerly thought to be the salvation of modern theatre is also to be found in the form of the musical. The value and quality of a production all depends on the spirit and sincerity with which the thing is done! This was kind of a revelation for me, to understand that I can infuse a character in a musical comedy with the same honesty and truthfulness that I would a role from a hard-hitting piece of modern realism. Don't get me wrong, I understand the limitations of different forms and all that, and I'm not saying that the American musical is the cure-all for theatre or society's problems. But there is lots of goodness to be found within it.

So anyway, I get to be Petruchio. Will you be in California in March? Come see the show!!! (You'll have to scroll down a little to find the section for Kate.) See you there.

tagged

Okay, so Bridget tagged me and I have to write five things about myself. I know I said that I had abondoned this blog but I feel like I have to write in response to the tag. So here are five things about myself, but I don't think anyone will read this.

1. I have a scar on the inside of my left ankle that is in the shape of South Carolina. This scar is the result of a wound (a "concrete burn") I received while pouring concrete over Thanksgiving vacation once while I was in high school.

2. There's this weird game I often play while I'm driving in which I imagine that there is an invisible thing -- sometimes a person, sometimes an animal, sometimes something else, it doesn't matter -- off to the right of the car. This thing must jump over obstacles like telephone poles, buildings, etc. that may be in its way. I must signal the "jump" by tapping on the steering wheel or clenching my jaw. This is obviously strange behavior bordering on obsessive and it's very difficult to explain. That's part of what makes it interesting/notable.

3. I legitimately enjoy difficult music.

4. I have never been fully satisfied with any pair of sunglasses I have ever owned.

5. When I walk, the outsides of my heels hit the ground first. I can correct this if I think about it, but I fear I will always walk like this. It's something I'd like to change. This abnormality results in the soles of my shoes wearing down in a strange and hilarious way,

Abandoned

This blog has been abandoned. Just, don't even bother looking here. I don't...I don't know what to say. I'm feeling very self conscious right now.

Benedick

This can be no trick. The conference was sadly bourne. They have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady. It seems her affections have their full bent. Love me? Why, it must be requited. I hear how I am censured. They say that I will bear myself proudly if I do perceive the love come from her. They say, too, that she will rather die than give any sign of affection. I did not think to marry. I must not seem proud. Happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair. Tis a truth, I can bear them witness. And virtuous. Tis so, I cannot reprove it. And wise, but for loving me. By my troth, it is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may chance to have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me because I have railed so long against marriage. But doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shall quips and sentences and paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humor? No--the world must be peopled. When I said that I would die a bachelor I did not think that I should live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day, she's a fair lady. I do spy some marks of love in her.

feelin' weird

I feel all sorts of weird today. It started this afternoon in voice class. We've been doing this exercise for the last few days in which a person lies (lays? I can never remember which one) on a mat and relaxes completely. Then three other people manipulate your arms, legs, head and torso while you remain relaxed. It feels really amazing, but it was my turn today and it threw me all off. I've felt very strange since then. Maybe that's not the cause, but that's my only theory.

I'm also working on a very strange movement piece entitled "Larva and Bean". That's all I'll say about that.

Shakespeare Monologues

Assignment for this weekend:

Find two new Shakespeare monologues to work in Eli's acting class. This is sort of in preparation for the Colorado Shakespeare auditions next week Sunday. I must read more Shakespeare. Why have I not read all his plays by this time in my life? Isn't that something that a serious theatre artist should do or should have done? Yes it is and I will begin now.

I'm back

I don't know if I'm just messing around or what, but I kind of wanted a blog where the stakes were a little lower. Where I could just post something for the heck of it. I love it over at catapult but I can't just post a bunch of junk if I want. So that's what this'll be for. It will be thrilling reading, no doubt.

Test elf

We'll meet again.

Okay, the cable guy is coming to take away our cable tv and internet access today, so I won't be able to post until we get to Iowa. Moving tomorrow! Wish us luck -- see you in a few days!

no idea

Yesterday, the conferences and events group I've worked with at Deutsche Bank for the last nine months had a little going-away lunch for me. It was so nice. Amanda came along and finally got to meet almost everyone from work. As usual, the conversation was fast and furious, the topic changed every five seconds, and everyone was laughing like crazy, which was perfect because it was entirely representative of the general dispositon of the group. They're so much fun. I've only been away from work for a couple days and I already miss it. Yes, I'm excited to move and start new things, but it was a great job and you honestly could not ask for a better bunch of people to work with.

Also, went to No Idea? bar last night (just down the street from us) with some friends. It was "Jason" night, meaning that anyone with the name Jason got free drinks from 5-11 pm. Wait a second...I COULD HAVE GOTTEN FREE DRINKS!!! Anyway, our wonderful friends Nicola, Martha, Steve, and Katie came by and we had a great time. I guess it was sort of an unofficial going-away party. I have a peculiar way of dealing with leaving people and places. I try to maintain an exceptionally positive attitude at all times and it usually works. It's not denial, exactly, because I'm not really denying or ignoring any realities or feelings. Rather, I just concentrate on the fact that we're planning to move back to New York in three years - and with modern technology (LIKE THIS BLOG!) there are all sorts of ways to keep in touch with people - and whenever you move somewhere new, it's kind of like you're starting all over with endless possibilities ahead of you. I don't mean to act or sound like a motivational speaker, that's just how I deal.

Okay, I should totally be packing boxes and cleaning our apartment.

(If you are interested in booking me as a motivational speaker, please e-mail me at jasonvbnyc@hotmail.com)

UPDATE

I'll redo some of the stuff I had blogged earlier, such as a quick update on life right now. Here's where it's at:

Amanda and I live in New York City, where she just graduated from NYU with her MA in Performance Studies and I worked a "temp" job at Deutsche Bank on Wall Street. We're moving to Iowa in TWO DAYS, where we'll hang out with family and friends for part of the summer. In early August, we're moving to Orange County, California. I'll be studying for my MFA in Acting at UC Irvine for the next three years. I'm rather excited to get started.

Previous to this, I had a livejournal. If you'd like to check out old posts, go here .

yet another new blog

Something terrible happened to my old blog. It just disappeared -- white screen -- nothing. I imagine that it was somehow retrievable, but as there were only seven posts, I decided to start fresh. Welcome to the new blog.