https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=C9k7qajXX-Y

Our final project was pretty great! We get our songs down and our lines were said pretty fluently. There was a bump in the road when John forgot his words but I think it made the performance as a whole better. We kind of had to add some improve into. Props to Chrissy for taking initiative with this. I followed along after. I'm really happy we did this project. I feel like we worked together really well. I remember how scared and nervous I was in the beginning of the class. I was very intimidated by John and Micheal, and even you Ms. Guarino! But, I knew that this class was going to push me to go out of my previously set boundaries. I ended up doing a part of a play with Michael. I was able to not be afraid to hear feedback from people. I ended up not being afraid to give feedback to people. I was able to strengthen my voice. Remember how quiet I was in the beginning of the year? Look at me now! Sure there is some work to be done but it’s much better than how it used to be. I'm very proud of myself. Thank you soooo much for everything you've done for me. I really needed this class. I've looked up to everyone in this class, including you. Each person has a certain attribute I extremely love. Chrissy with her ability to speak up whine she has a thought and say what's on her mind. John with us ability to raise his voice and also stand tall, he's such a leader. Michael and how mature he is. But he's mature in a different way, I can't quite explain it. He's also independent. And you Ms. Guarino, content and very caring and heartwarming. I truly loved this class!

Final project proposal.

We are doing Wizard of Oz. Chrissy is the Scarecrow. Michael is the lion. John is the Tim man. I am Dorthy.
We are each going to have a solo song. This is just like it is in the movie. I think I will be singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Michael is singing the If I only song, same with Chrissy and John but they’re all solos. They just happen to all have the same tune. There are different words though.
We still have to go over costumes. I was thinking we could do color themes. Michael wears yellows, oranges, and tans because he is the lion. Chrissy wears those colors too but with spots of green and navy blue, black. John wear grey, black, and white. I wear blue, white, and grey.

We just need to make sure we know our songs and any lines we make up or use. We also need to make sure that we communicate with each other because we don't, as of now, really have an organized idea. We will soon though!!

End of Blog Post.

My Scene with Michael for the Glass Menagerie
Today Michael and I performed our scene for the Glass Menagerie. I think we did pretty well! It seemed as though we really built off of each other's emotions. The falling into the table (done by Michael) looked very natural. Although, these things, and more, did take a couple of tries.

I think practicing a bit more before our final could have benefited us. Of course sometimes we can't get to class, even going the next step meaning we meet after school to go over it a couple times would’ve helped. The reason I say this is because we had to practice a couple times before we got our final scene filmed because we kept messing up. For example:
I kept mumbling - no one can hear you if you mumble, especially when performing on stage.
Michael couldn't fall- well it wasn't fall, more like couldn't NATURALLY fall into the table. It looked too fake ya know?
Our dancing! - we were really trying, but…. it just didn't look right. I mean for starters we wouldn't hold hands! We got the hang of it though. We decided (Michaels’ great idea) to spin in a circle. Then (my idea) I would twirl and he would get all excited and bump into the table. Crash! Goes the glass unicorn.
Michael and I finally got our final performance filmed and were pretty happy with it. I mean, we skipped like 4 lines in the end but it’s not noticeable. I'm glad I got to work with him because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and was very fun hanging out with him!

Overall, this was a great experience! This class is helping me so much with going outside my comfort zone. I’m so happy I decided to take this class. :)

See ya next blog!!
Olivia Williamson

My Blog.
Chrissy and I completed our scene for The Glass Menagerie. The two of us spent a great amount of time figuring out our characters. We needed to figure out the whos, whats, wheres, whys, and hows.
Here is what we’ve concluded about our characters:
Laura is Amanda’s daughter. They are in their apartment. There is a bed, a chair, a kitchen, a door, and a balcony. She is shy but has a lot of ideas about what she believes is right.  In the scene, she is contemplating who this Jim O'connor person is and how she will react to his arrival. She decides that she will be too nervous when Jim O'connor arrives and begs to not go anywhere near him (for example opening the door for him). Instead, she begs her mother, Amanda, to complete the task of opening the door for Jim.
Amanda is Laura’s mother. The scenery is the same as in the synopsis of Laura (look above). She is very motherly and a little bossy because she also has a lot of ideas about what is right. In the scene, she is explaining that gentleman caller will be coming over for dinner, nudging Laura to make small talk with him for when he arrives. She determinedly commands Laura to pull herself together and to stop overreacting about going near Jim O'connor (for example opening the door for Jim). Amanda gets what she wants in this scene by talking with conviction and trying to reassure Laura that everything will be okay.
Chrissy and I did silly things to try and figure out how we wanted to say our lines. The two of us read our script with all different types of accents and used all different types of emotions. I the end, we found what we were looking for. Laura and Amanda both had to have some kind of stubbornness to them and also some kind of separateness.
I’m glad with the outcome of our scene. It took a couple of times, but we got to a point where we were really able to react to each others emotions. I think the two of us just have to let go a bit more. When you let go a little, you get the emotions and naturalness in the scene that you’re  looking for.
                    Thanks for the read!
                             Livi’s Blog

My character for the play, The Glass Menagerie, is Laura. Laura is an interesting character. She is super fragile. When I think of Laura, I think of something that is extremely lite and easily damageable, like a feather, or a dandelion seed, blowing in the wind. She has trouble controlling her own fate. That is the reason why when the wind blows, she gets swept up by the strong, cold, forceful air. And all the dandelion seed does is follow the wind and absorb all the sunlight it can possibly get. But sometimes the dandelion really wants more sunlight. It just has trouble going about anywhere without the wind. That is how Laura is. She really wants to get a career and meet the life of her life, a nice companion, but she feels as though she just cannot. Laura has a walking disorder. She feels as though it stops her from doing the things she wants to do. One of these things being attending business school. Laura is also very sensitive. She cares greatly about her loved ones, her brother acting as the main one she cared about in this play. Laura is also a representation of the glass menagerie itself. Her emotions are CLEARLY easy to see through. Her emotions are very clear. With a sudden move, word, she can break. There is nothing she can hide meaning her emotions are clear (her emotions mainly showing fear, sadness, want, awe through facial expressions and body language). When she finds the things that make her happy in life, she is less nervous and more happy, excited, full of life.she always remains a little secluded to herself even till the end.

I think the silent movie came out pretty great! We started off with all of these ideas about what we wanted the movie to be about. Here are the main things we knew we wanted:
The movie was going to be French themed
There HAD to be a rude waitress
The characters in the movie were going to get super angry
We knew that those three things, those three ideas would make a great movie. The problem was that we didn’t have a plot. We only had those ideas. We brainstormed for a really long time and I’m pretty sure that took longer than the actual filming process and acting process. I’m glad we worked on that though because the plot needed to be fixed. It was way too all over the place and everything was moving almost too quickly. I’m glad Michael is back because we needed his ideas! Michael is great to have around because his ideas are vibrant, yet he keeps everyone in reality. This reality being what really is possible to do in a certain time frame. Afterall, it’s not like we had 2 months to do this! I’m glad we keep having these mini projects though because it’s helping me communicate and also move quicker. I feel like I’m always on my toes and I’m not as slow. The main thing I wish we could have fixed was the view of the movie. By this I mean it would have been nice for some things to be more zoomed in. Like Micheal for instance. His character was all angry so it would have been nice to see the camera zoomed in on him being all angry. Overall, this silent movie was so entertaining and I think our acting was great. It was cool to see my peers expressing emotion but not even talking! Super cool project. I would definitely want to do this again.

Our current project for acting class is to film and act in a silent movie/film. I'm early excited for it. I'm excited for it because I've always had trouble with showing body expressing and facial expression when acting. With this new type of acting that I'm doing for the first time, I don't have to focus on the words. There are no words! It's just everything else. My group is Chrissy and John. Well,those are the only other people in the class at this moment! I'm happy that my class it so great and the people that are in my class are the people that are in my class because I'm surrounded by new personalities. John is this strong voiced individual who knows how to work a room. Chrissy has this bright and vibrant personality that lights up a room. I hope both of them rub off on me. I think they sort of already have. BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM! I talked to my mom and she said that the ones that I'm thinking of are too flimsy. Ahh! What are we to do? We're gonna have to think of something else. I feel bad because it was my idea. It was my idea gosh darn! I hope John isn't mad at me but I'm sure he'll be annoyed. Oh boy. Oh boy. Hopefully we can get this done. I'll keep my mouth shut with ideas from now on. I feel so bad! Okay D period is second to last today. Okay, UPDATE! I talked to you and you said it's okay. The final will be in Thursday and it will all be alright. My apologies again! I will buy thinner breadsticks. To be honest, I think the breadsticks I looked at were way too big haha. It's okay though. I will give another update after the final is done.

Project proposals
1.  We make a rap
2. An interpratuve dance
3. A song (trio)
4. A dance and a song combined (together)

I think my performance in School of Rock went well. I was super nervous on opening night of the show. Everyone was super nice to me. They kept trying to calm me down which I really appreciated. It was really nice of them to do and I’m lucky they did because I was on the verge of hyperventilating! During the show on opening night, I felt really energized! It made me really happy to prove to myself that all that hard work of memorizing lines, songs, and drum music really paid off. I had one mishap during the opening night performance which was when I didn’t go fast enough to the “If Only You Would Listen” scene. Everything worked out in the end though because Nate and I were ready to race out of the door! I loved the scene with me and Nate. It was fun acting with him because I feel like we really feed off each other energy and emotion. At the end of the opening night performance, I had my big drum solo. It went pretty well so I was happy. The second night went pretty well. The energy was still high and everyone new their lines. I think there was a bit more improve but I enjoyed it! I felt excited throughout the whole show! My big solo at the end of the show did not go as I planned, but I didn’t stop during it which I think paid off. I kind of wish that I didn’t ask so many people if I messed up because everyone I asked said that I did a great job and the majority didn’t even notice. That’s one of the lessons I learned during this SOR experience. Majority of the time, people don't even know what anything is supposed to sound like. I really enjoyed my second performance though because I still felt like I did a great job with all in all performing. Today was the last performance of SOR and I’m kind of bummed it’s over. I felt as if this performance was very free- feeling. Everyone seemed laid back and happy and not tense at all. I really loved that because it made this last performance to be left off on a great note! I did my solo perfectly also! I’m really proud of everyone and also really proud of myself. I’m so happy I did the musical this school year because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I played the drums and got so much better at them! I sang in front of a crowd! I acted and spoke louder! I had more personality! It felt so nice when people would come up to me at the end of the performances and give me hugs and high fives! They told me I was really great! At the last performance today. Tis man and women gave me firm handshakes. Those were two of my favorite encounters with the people from the crowd. Everyone in theatre were so nice to me I feel like I am apart of something more now. I feel super happy and and smiling as I write this right now because I just love every single one of the people in the production of SOR! I miss the musical sooooooo much already. :( :).

Don’t criticize me
Hey we all wish for something different right? I’m wishing for this! Don’t make me repeat myself I’ve told you what I’ve wished for so many times and I Still don't think you get what I’m saying. If my wish came true, Id have it all. You think I like where I am right now? You think I enjoy the way I’m living right now? I don’t! I don’t enjoy it at all and things needs to change, things need to change. Things. Need. To …. Change. So, I’m wishing for this and there’s nothing you can do about it. I’m not changing my mind. I am tired. Oh I’m so tired. (looks up) (talking to the sky now)
You hear me? I’m tired! When are things going to change?! When are things going to change…. Do you know because if you do I would really like to know. I can't go on like this. Please make my wish come true just PLEASE. Make my wish come true because I’ve had enough oh I’ve had enough and I need things to change. MAKE MY WISH COME TRUE. Do you understand now? Can you hear me?

I enjoyed performing my monologue. It was no secret that I was very nervous. There was a lot of things I tried to work on before my final performance. One thing was I had to try and fix was my swaying. When I get nervous, I sway back and forth and up and down. It's a bad habit of mine. In the performance I tried to not sway as much….. I sort of did a good job. I think I get a 45/100 on how well I did on not swaying. I'm going to keep working on this though. I think people will take what I have to so more seriously if I stand strong, and tall, and confident. Another thing I had to work on was how fast I said my words, how fast I would speak. When I started speaking in my final performance, I was talking very quickly. As I was speaking, I noticed everyone's faces sort of shocked. Almost saying,”Whoah, you need to slow down and take a breather”. I noted that and slowed down talking. It actually allowed me to be less nervous. It allowed me to breath more. This is something I have to keep in mind when I have other performances. I'm really proud of myself. I was super nervous to start off with regarding if I'd remember my lines. I remembered them! I was super nervous about how I would act regarding my motions. I did well on that too! Sure it was awkward at times but I think I worked the stage pretty well if I do say so myself! I'm super happy and I hope I keep improving. I feel more confident already, even in my everyday life. Now I know that I made the right decision joining this class. Thanks!

I was in fifth grade when I started playing music. It was pretty much what everybody did in fifth grade because that's when we're allowed to play in the school band. Most of the kids only  joined because it meant we would miss a class during the day but I joined because I loved music and wanted to accel in the studies of music!
No Seriously!
Okay okay to be honest… I was just like the rest of the kids who wanted to skip class.
But that's beside the point !
Anyways, the instrument I decided to play was percussion. I knew from the start I wanted to play percussion. When I saw the drums I ran over to them instantly!
That's not true either,
Percussion was actually my last choice because I couldn't make sound out of any of the other instruments. The cool thing about playing percussion is that the first step is keeping a good tempo. Luckily, I had that.
I kept practicing.
And practicing.
And practicing.
And…..
Boy was I annoyed.
But after a while it got fun.  All that repetition helped me form the needed skills for playing correctly. I was playing harder music. I was reading music faster. I started really loving percussion. Right now I'm in ninth grade.Playing High school music is much different than playing fifth grade music, but I love the challenge.
Huh
Fifth grade me would be laughing at the ninth grade me
(Mockingly and laughing )
Eww. Olivia has to be joking! She actually likes playing music!.
(Pause)
I'm going to keep playing percussion.
It makes me happy.
(Realization)
It's part of what makes me , me.
Thanks, fifth grade me for wanting to skip class.

I was in fifth grade when I started playing music. It was pretty much what everybody did in fifth grade because that's when we're allowed to play in the school band. Most of the kids only  joined because it meant we would miss a class during the day but I joined because I loved music and wanted to accel in the studies of music!
No Seriously!
Okay okay to be honest… I was just like the rest of the kids. (Clarify)
But that's beside the point !
Anyways, the instrument I decided to play was percussion. I knew from the start I wanted to play percussion. When I saw the drums I ran over to them instantly!
That's not true either,
Percussion was actually my last choice because I couldn't make sound out of any of the other instruments. The cool thing about playing percussion is that the first step is keeping a good tempo. Luckily, I had that.
I kept practicing.
And practicing.
And practicing.
And…..
Boy was I annoyed.
But after a while it got fun.  All that repetition helped me form the needed skills for playing correctly. I was playing harder music. I was reading music faster. I started really loving percussion.
(Pause)
I'm going to keep playing percussion.
It makes me happy.
(Realization)
It's part of what makes me , me.
Thanks, fifth grade me for wanting to skip class.

Talk more about how much you love percussion.

I am me, not really sure what that is yet.

When I started playing music up to now and where I want to go in the future with it.

"You know that awkward moment when....?" Some awkward moments lived by me, Olivia Williamson. All smiles :) .

Blog #1

So, I’m not confident… like at all. I really want to be though so I decided to join this theater class. You’re probably reading this and thinking, “oh but I know you have some confidence Olivia because you are starting to participate more and being a bit louder’, but right after I raise my voice a little louder, I freak out. Like I’m anxious the whole rest of the day. Why am I so anxious the rest of the day? All I want to do is be a bit louder and be confident. I just get nervous that people will think smalley or little of me if I don’t present one hundred percent correctly. I don't want people to think I’m too loud, or too crazy so I try to keep it in. Last year, I didn’t talk very much and didn’t socialize with anyone… and I felt sad because I was always alone in the library doing puzzles or getting my homework done when it wasn’t even due for two more weeks. Everyone liked me though, everyone thought I was a cute little kid who was quiet and studious. And I am studious and I was in eighth grade, but to be honest with you, I’m really not THAT quiet.  When I got to the second semester of last year, I started to realize something.  Everyone didn't have a problem with me, everyone didn’t see me as a threat, because I didn’t have a voice. I wasn’t a threat or seen  like I had any source of power because I didn’t even say  ONE WORD last year. I didn’t want to say a single word  last year. I want to say more words this year. I want to have a voice. But I feel like I won’t be seen as sweet anymore. Maybe they’ll see me more as a threat. I don’t know. What do you think? Do you think I should have a voice? Should I care about what other people think? I just don’t want to be seen like I changed. If I had a voice, a stronger voice, not meaning a high pitched voice (haha), but I voice where I seemed confident. Where I’m not saying “hi” like the person saying hi to me is a … killer I don’t know. But back to the point. I joined this class for an important reason. I want to challenge myself. I want to challenge myself to have a voice. I want to challenge myself to talk with confidence. To stand with confidence. To not care too much what others think. I also want to be able to convey a message effectively. Those are my goals.