I last posted right before I performed in the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015! When I was turning 29! It has been a friggin whirl wind! I graduated from my MA in Shakespeare...had a long distance relationship with a Scotsman I met on a train coming back from the Fringe that ended in 2016....I'm single in Florida...about to start a play with the Orlando Rep. I'm about to headline Llama Llama, playing Mama and I could not be more terrified! I turned 30 today. I was always afraid of this year, but for some reason, I am embracing it! I've been through hell since I've moved back to America, both physically and mentally. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?
I look forward to the next year of being a real adult and getting life and career on track. I'm proud of everything I've done though. I don't need a man to define me....though it would be nice to have one by my side. Here's to children's theatre and making memories!
Love,
O
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Early Morning Thursdays...
It seems as if the heat wave that was yesterday seems to have broken this morning. It is cool here, as I drink this cup of coffee. GASP! COFFEE! NO! Anyway, today brings a plethora of things. First and for most I must memorize my lines for Antony and Cleopatra. We open in two weeks! I will be playing Enobarbus which is terrifying because I want to do a good job. This production is through the Shakespeare Institute Players and we will be performing outside. Should be fun.
My last post was about self-reflection, this post is about waking up and seeing that people are not who they really are. Actions sometimes speak louder than words but a simple message goes a long way to prevent misunderstanding. I lost a potential connection in the acting world but for some strange reason, I am ok with that. I realized that this person wasn't that great to begin with, especially with their not so great behaviour on social media. A loss, is simply, a loss this time and that's a-ok with me!
I think this means I am growing up or something...NO....stop that...this is the bit where I dream I want to go to Neverland with Peter Pan or I sing that silly jingle from Toys-R-US..."I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys-r-Us Kid..." This coffee obviously hasn't kicked it. It's freeze-dried which means it's bollocks, basically. Even the ground shit doesn't taste as good in my french press. Give me back my flavoured Dunkin Donuts dammit!
I feel like today I should be doing work for my dissertation. I did yesterday. I completed the additions my supervisor suggest I add and it'll have to be edited at a later date. I probably will give it a read on Sunday and be like "what the shit is this!?" Sometimes you just need to get things on a page in order to move forward. Writing a dissertation is a real nightmare, it keeps you awake, it keeps you from eating, it makes you want to consume all the wine!
And THAT ladies and gents is a brief idea of what a desk may look like when writing a dissertation...that's only a small selections of books. Organized Chaos ;)
My last post was about self-reflection, this post is about waking up and seeing that people are not who they really are. Actions sometimes speak louder than words but a simple message goes a long way to prevent misunderstanding. I lost a potential connection in the acting world but for some strange reason, I am ok with that. I realized that this person wasn't that great to begin with, especially with their not so great behaviour on social media. A loss, is simply, a loss this time and that's a-ok with me!
I think this means I am growing up or something...NO....stop that...this is the bit where I dream I want to go to Neverland with Peter Pan or I sing that silly jingle from Toys-R-US..."I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys-r-Us Kid..." This coffee obviously hasn't kicked it. It's freeze-dried which means it's bollocks, basically. Even the ground shit doesn't taste as good in my french press. Give me back my flavoured Dunkin Donuts dammit!
I feel like today I should be doing work for my dissertation. I did yesterday. I completed the additions my supervisor suggest I add and it'll have to be edited at a later date. I probably will give it a read on Sunday and be like "what the shit is this!?" Sometimes you just need to get things on a page in order to move forward. Writing a dissertation is a real nightmare, it keeps you awake, it keeps you from eating, it makes you want to consume all the wine!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Tea makes everything ok...
As I sit here on a lovely Saturday morning, I am using the time to self-reflect. I have a cuppa in my hand and I am enjoying listening to the lively sounds outside my window. I haven't had much time to blog or express my thoughts, but that is expected. A lot has happened in the past few months! I have devised an hour long play based on works by William Shakespeare...performed it...and received a distinction for it! I have had to battle my own personal struggles with self-doubt and perfection, but every day I get a bit stronger. Spending my time here in Stratford has been a truly amazing experience. I have grown so much as both an actor and a person.
I am currently in my dissertation term and I am focusing specifically on the portrayal of Dogberry, Touchstone, and Lear's Fool within performance. So...fools. I think there is something incredibly fascinating to be learned from these characters and I look forward to delving deeper into my research. I am off to the library in a bit...after my tea! I DO miss home, but I will be there in a few months and will then complain about how much I miss England and my friends. For now, the wheel of life keeps on turning and I go about my day.
Cheers,
O
I am currently in my dissertation term and I am focusing specifically on the portrayal of Dogberry, Touchstone, and Lear's Fool within performance. So...fools. I think there is something incredibly fascinating to be learned from these characters and I look forward to delving deeper into my research. I am off to the library in a bit...after my tea! I DO miss home, but I will be there in a few months and will then complain about how much I miss England and my friends. For now, the wheel of life keeps on turning and I go about my day.
Cheers,
O
Thursday, February 19, 2015
It's been MONTHS
Wow, so in grad school, you don't have time to blog. It's been several months since I've been here in the UK. I've been in a play, performed a devised work at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and I managed to get two merits on term papers! I haven't written an essay in over six years by the way! I am currently in my second term here at The Shakespeare Institute and I'm loving it.
We are working a lot on monologues and scenes, as well as creating an hour long devised work which we will put up in May. More to come soon hopefully.
Not in the best mood today considering my hair dye was unsuccessful...i.e it didn't really change the colour of my hair! I wanted a darker brown but it just came out kinda brown with red. Damn red hair!
On another note, I'm in two plays...well it's two one acts in a play..Doggs Hamlet and Cahoots Macbeth. Should be a blast!
We are working a lot on monologues and scenes, as well as creating an hour long devised work which we will put up in May. More to come soon hopefully.
Not in the best mood today considering my hair dye was unsuccessful...i.e it didn't really change the colour of my hair! I wanted a darker brown but it just came out kinda brown with red. Damn red hair!
On another note, I'm in two plays...well it's two one acts in a play..Doggs Hamlet and Cahoots Macbeth. Should be a blast!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Meeting Students
Today I met a few of the MA students at the Institute. Only one was doing my particular MA! She's straight out of undergrad and is also an actor which is awesome. I bonded with three gals specifically. Two Americans and one Australian. We laughed practically all night. Sadly they aren't in my degree but they seem freaking awesome to hang out with. I am currently reading a book entitled "What Good Are the Arts?" It's hard to comprehend and I have to finish the whole 300 word book by Wednesday. This doesn't include the two other books I must read for Thursday and the blog I have to comment on by Tuesday at 9 am. I'm in for a world of hurt this week. No going out Monday.
I have to get my ID and Visa checked on Monday. Going into Birmingham should be fun...NOT! Ta Ta for now...will let you know how it all goes when I have time to write!
Cheers!
Octavia
I have to get my ID and Visa checked on Monday. Going into Birmingham should be fun...NOT! Ta Ta for now...will let you know how it all goes when I have time to write!
Cheers!
Octavia
Monday, September 22, 2014
New Chapter, For Reals This Time
I again, need to work on this blogging thing. I also really don't like my format anymore. Should probably change it at some point. I am about 3 1/2 days out from leaving for my big move to the UK. I leave Thursday via Virgin Atlantic and hit London by Friday. I've got a packed two 1/2 week once I'm in country! Over the weekend I've got to unpack and get situated and on Sunday I have a mandatory meet and greet of some of the current students. Monday is Orientation and then I have to hop on a train and head to The University of Birmingham to get my ID and my visa checked as well as stuff for getting a bank account/doctor.
I'm pretty terrified I'll admit. This is probably the biggest, most stressful thing I've ever done. In the end it will be worth it though. I think the whole moving across an ocean is a big deal in itself. Plus, I'm dealing with shipping hell and the fact that I am only bringing one piece of luggage, a carry-on, and a big arse backpack! I hope to update you guys again right before I go. If I don't, you guess will get an update once I've moved into my flat...hopefully I can post my Friday night. I look forward to my roommate and the fact that I don't have to take a single piece of public transportation to do the things I wanna do...i.e shopping and the like. Except for the occasional train rides to Birmingham and other stuff for school. I also should probably not be typing and instead should be reading. I've got three chapters left of this one book and then need to start on another. Then after that book is done it's two books for my History of Shakespeare in Performance class, but thank God those are only like 4 chapter in each book! #gradschoolproblems
I'm pretty terrified I'll admit. This is probably the biggest, most stressful thing I've ever done. In the end it will be worth it though. I think the whole moving across an ocean is a big deal in itself. Plus, I'm dealing with shipping hell and the fact that I am only bringing one piece of luggage, a carry-on, and a big arse backpack! I hope to update you guys again right before I go. If I don't, you guess will get an update once I've moved into my flat...hopefully I can post my Friday night. I look forward to my roommate and the fact that I don't have to take a single piece of public transportation to do the things I wanna do...i.e shopping and the like. Except for the occasional train rides to Birmingham and other stuff for school. I also should probably not be typing and instead should be reading. I've got three chapters left of this one book and then need to start on another. Then after that book is done it's two books for my History of Shakespeare in Performance class, but thank God those are only like 4 chapter in each book! #gradschoolproblems
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
So Ready To GO!!
It's hard to stay focused as an actor when you so desperatly want to head home and be with your dog and your mom. My NORMAL life sounds so amazing right now. I like London, but I don't love it. I've put on weight....the people I find rude....and a plethora of other things. How do you find what you want in times like this? The program has been good, had to make the best of it in some situations. I've learned a hell of a lot about myself and what I need to work on as an actor. The idea of being in my own bed is kind of fabulous...so is working out...
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