Tuesday, July 28, 2015
A hot day, morning rehearsal was followed by an escape to Maddy’s for a big glass of iced tea and a BLT with turkey and avocado. Worked on comparing my score on the iPad to my hardcopy score; added markings. Finally it hit me that I was at risk of shooting myself in the foot if I switched from the hardcopy to the electronic version this late in the process. Executive decision made: use hardcopy in performances, and deal with the page turns.
Then afternoon rehearsal, dinner in the dining hall with my piano technician friend, Dierdre, a few moments to read, then the Prairie Home Companion “America the Beautiful” tour performance in Kresge.
Garrison Keillor started the show by walking down the center aisle while telling stories.
Personally, I enjoy Garrison’s storytelling much more than his singing, although I’m sure he considers them one-and-the-same. There was much more singing in this show than I would have liked. But that’s just me. Dr. Anne told me the next morning that, by leaving early, I missed the entire history of Lake Wobegon. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard the whole history over the years I’ve been listening to the show.
The panic of knowing performances are right around the corner.
Have you ever awakened with the sense that you really needed to take the day off? Today was that [headache-kinda] day for me. But we had what’s called “Q2Q” Tech rehearsal scheduled for 10:00 a.m., so get up I did, only more slowly than normal. Missed breakfast, grabbed a muffin from the Café Tent, fixed a cup of tea, and arrived at rehearsal at 9:59.
A cue-to-cue rehearsal is when the sound and lights are run with certain parts of scenes within the production. So my morning was lots of stop and go, waiting and then playing, with Dr. Anne and myself continuing to make lots of notes on our scores.
Ran to the grocery store for more throat lozenges, drove through Wendy’s for a burger and a big iced tea, and back to my room, hopefully to nap for 45 minutes.
Afternoon rehearsal was a continuation of morning rehearsal, with more hurry up and wait and still more headache for me. And finally the workday was done.
The view on my evening walk over to Leslie’s theatre.
And then home. A quick visit with Leslie, working late in her theatre, and then headache meds and sleep—until being awakened at 11:15 by my thoughtless neighbor and his girlfriend, talking until midnight at normal volume. I was happy to hear them leave at midnight, ostensibly to go play Belly Button Bingo somewhere else.
My morning walk to class. “Such a sky, you never did see.”
And now it’s one week until opening night. Tonight is our orchestra rehearsal. I’m constantly refining my music to not overplay any of our instrumentalists, and to learn how to quickly change settings on the Clavinova. (I really love this instrument, and would love to own one, but not to the tune of $5,000.)
The morning was singing, dancing, refining. A few of the kids seem totally disinterested, and I want to grab them by the ears and shake, saying to them in my best Grandma voice, “This is your life!” But you see how well that’s worked for me thus far in my life.
More refinements added in the afternoon. Peggy added some fabulous excitement to “Food, Glorious Food.” I hope an archive recording is made available so I can see what the show looks like—what we’re seeing at this point is delightful.
I ran to Maddy’s for a couple slices of pizza, a big glass of iced tea, and score review. Then to rehearsal. Last night we had a clarinetist, a violinist, and a cellist. Wow—what a great sound! It was interesting and challenging to me to listen for what the others were doing and be sensitive to what to drop and what to double. Now, this is collaboration!
When rehearsal was over, I walked down to Kresge and stood outside, listening and dancing to the music of the Beach Boys. I was 16 again, driving my daddy’s Corvette through the Steak & Shake with him by my side, lovingly teaching me how to behave in the Corvette crowd. Those moments with him were so rare (because of the long hours he worked) and so precious. Fell asleep with Good Vibrations running through my brain.
Morning walk past the Interlochen Bowl. Stunning vision with flags flying in the breeze.
As I was getting my breakfast, a woman saw me and asked how it went last night. I didn’t know who she was, but knew I had seen her around campus. Then she asked, “Was he quiet?” I snuck a peek at her nametag and realized she was my dorm mom, Heather, to whom I turn when insensitive nextdoor neighbor makes a nuisance of himself and his girlfriend. I’m hoping she looked at a database to see my picture when I first called her, not that she remembered my face from the first day when she took my badge picture!! I hate that I can’t remember names and faces until I’ve seen a person three or four times!
<Sidenote On>
I ran into Heather again the next day and apologized for not recognizing her the day before. I asked if she had looked up my picture, or just remembered me. She remembered me! What an amazing [young] brain. And she’s worked here for several years, where returnees outnumber newcomers. So that’s in her favor.
<Sidenote Off>
Had received a text from Leslie that her attire today was courtesy of my hands and my sewing machine, so I had to run by her theatre to observe.
Morning rehearsal included running some scenes, and adding more choreography and complexity to the chase scene. It also included maintenance men coming into the classroom to figure out what was leaking from the ceiling and to confirm to me that the thermostat for that room was bonkers. (When they look at this room on their office computerized control center, the display says the room is 80°. It is clearly not. It’s more like 65°! Consistently!!)
I ate my soft taco down by the lake and heard a familiar voice. When I turned around, there was my third son, Chip! He was having lunch with Dr. Coonrod, of whom I had heard him speak many times, so I finally got to meet the esteemed piano teacher.
Afternoon class was a tech rehearsal, straight through Act I and halfway through Act II in the time allotted, with stops to fix problems. Dr. Anne’s way in a rehearsal at that stage of production (I later learned) is to hum whatever important figures are missing from the music she’s hearing from the musician(s). In this case that was just me. (Orchestra will be included in Saturday afternoon’s rehearsal.) But what I heard, implicitly, in my own very well-learned way, was, “You’re missing this. You’re missing that.” By three-quarters of the way through the rehearsal, I was fighting back tears. Shame on my mother for so deeply and skillfully installing in me a sense of my own consistent inadequacy.
After rehearsal, she suggested we rehearse the problem areas during the noon hour on Saturday (yea!) and then said she has my appraisal to discuss (boo!) and that we could do that on Saturday, also.
By this point, I wasn’t just fighting back tears, I was wiping at my eyes to keep the tears from slipping down my cheeks. Damn!
Walked to the dining hall, made a sandwich, and took it back to my room, as I couldn’t stand to try to talk to anyone over dinner. Listened to the book I’m reading for a while, then went to see the High School Repertory group perform “Failure: A Love Story.” Magnificently performed. I kept thinking what a difficult script it was, and how beautifully they were trained. And the set—stunning. What a fabulous theatre department Interlochen has!!
Back to my room, listening to my book, knitting a few rows. Then 10:00 came and I turned out my lights, only to hear the nextdoor neighbor and his girlfriend (The Giggler) talking at a volume where I could hear every word. Texted my dorm mom, who suggested I just knock on the door and ask them to speak more quietly. Pulled up my Big Girl pants and did just that, and he replied, “I’m sorry.” And they complied. I still had to wrap my pillows around my ears to get to sleep, but at least the volume was more manageable. I couldn’t hear every word of their conversation.
I wonder if I would have had the courage to knock on the door on earlier occasions when they were in the throes of passion at 1:30 a.m. or 11:30 p.m. I think not. I would have been too embarrassed.
There have been some difficult situations during this summer that I hope never to have to live through again!!
And to bring all my perceived problems back to real life: During the evening, I heard from Leslie that there was an explosion at the “Texas” musical in Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Many of her dancers from West Texas A&M University perform in this show, and of course her heart and her mind were at home in Amarillo, comforting her students over the death of their stage manager.
And a family has lost their beloved and very talented 21-year-old daughter.
That’s real life. My worries about not being good enough are not real life.
Diana Krall in Kresge (Poor picture; great performance!)
And suddenly it’s August! Wasn’t January just about two weeks ago?!
All day tech rehearsals. And at noon, between the rehearsals, time for Dr. Anne to play for me on the piano the notes she wants to hear from me, so I could mark them in my score. Now to find the time to practice these notes!!
Midway through the afternoon I received an email about an informal Theatre Department performance that night, in which Leslie was going to perform a monologue. I had [expensive] Diana Krall tickets already, but wanted—always—to support and cheer for Leslie in everything she does. So she and I went out for a quick dinner at Maddy’s, then I went to my room for a little bit of practicing and then to the Diana Krall concert. At ten minutes until nine o’clock, I snuck out the back and walked down to the Phoenix Theatre, were I observed “Miscast,” theatre department employees doing roles they’d never be cast in. It was hilarious. And very gutsy on the part of all the performers! Then some of the crowd adjourned to Leslie’s for libations and conversations.
And week five is complete!
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Leslie and I had agreed to go to yoga in Traverse City together this morning, but everytime I woke throughout the night, I felt the panic of needing to practice. So I begged off and spent two hours doing laundry and practicing. Then I drove to downtown Traverse City and met her in Golden Shoes, where I didn’t find what I needed. Then we went to Poppycock’s for lunch, afterward spending a little time in Daisy Jane’s and Eleven, a lovely women’s clothing boutique. I was astonished at the poor customer service at both Poppycock’s and Eleven. At Poppycock’s we walked in to notice three women behind the bar, one mixing a cocktail. She looked up at us and then back at her cocktail shaker. None of the three spoke to us. After a minute, a man came from the back and showed us to the table. But no greeting? No, “Hi, welcome, we’ll be right with you?” Then in Eleven, a very chic shop, the three sales associates stood clumped around the counter, chatting. Not once did one of them break their conversation to ask if they could help us. There were probably 15 shoppers in the store, and only when Leslie selected a [fabulous] dress from the rack to try on were we approached. This is one of the biggest weeks of the year for stores, the Traverse City Film Festival. This is one of those weeks when there’s money to be made in TC. And this is the customer service you offer? Unbelievable!!
I left Leslie and headed back to campus, running a couple of errands along the way. I rested for twenty minutes, the headed over to visit Tyler’s friend who has become my friend, Bethany. An IAA alum, this lovely lady and I have become in person and Facebook friends and fans of each other. Her dad and his new wife have a summer home just south of the campus and her dad works at IAC in the summer. She had been wanting us to meet for sometime, so her visit from Chicago for a few days was the perfect opportunity to get together and share wine and conversation.
Feeling the need to get back to my practicing, I headed back to campus, arriving as the skies opened and spewed hail and water, with accompanying lighting. I sat in my car and listened to my book until the rain eased up enough for me to run through the puddles back to the dorm. Ate my leftover sandwich from lunch and practiced while waiting for the 8:00 World Youth Symphony Orchestra concert to begin.
Monday, August 3, 2015
D-Day. Dress Rehearsal #1. Quick breakfast, meeting new people even as we prepare for week 6, enjoying conversations made in week 1. Back to the room for some last minute practicing, then on to rehearsal. Loving the sound of the four-piece orchestra, pleased with my performance.
Wendy’s run for a burger and big iced tea. (I didn’t say “quick run,” as there’s nothing quick about this Wendy’s, even when they’re not very busy.) Stop in grocery store for paper and tape, and home to doctor up my music. During rehearsal I realized one of my biggest problems is finding my place when we’re in a song with lots of cuts. So I decided to tape blank white paper over the cuts. This will help direct my eyes across the cut and lessen the time my eyes are scanning the music to see where we’re going. Feeling brilliant.
A little nap, more music work, then dinner with Tyne at Maddy’s. She mentioned to me once that she noticed all my Maddy’s postings on Facebook and wished I’d call her sometime when I was going, as she’d never experienced Maddy’s. (Tyne is here from Wisconsin with only a bike. She’s made getting around easy in her signature style, but sometimes one just wants to get around by car.) We had a lovely time sharing life stories and Maddy’s Punch. Oh my gosh, if I’d discovered Maddy’s Punch in week 1, I would have been turned into an addict and been at Maddy’s every night for dinner. My budget is thankful that I only discovered it on the final night of week 5, when I’m heading into a week with no free evenings.
And now I’ve started packing. Each time I go to or by my parking lot, I take something from the room to tuck into the back of my SUV. The more I take now, the less I’ll take later.
And now it’s week 6! Soon I’ll be going home to my comfortable bed and my normal routine. Hate to leave. Happy to go.
If you aren’t on Facebook or don’t follow what I say there (ahem, a certain man who shares my life …), here are some of my posts for the same period as this blog post.
Garrison Keillor Quote of the Day: “My heart has been broken so many times it jingles when I walk.” (July 28, 10:56 p.m.)
Memorable Sound of the Day: Interlochen squirrels (of which there are thousands, outnumbered only by the chipmunks), scampering across the roof of our theatre, hiding their food for the long winter ahead. (July 29, 6:24 p.m.)
I have always said the wonderful thing about Interlochen – and especially Interlochen Arts Academy – is it attracts students who don’t fit in in their world at home. They come here and they make a mesh of their differentness and their incredible talent and they create beauty everywhere. I am so lucky to have been able to contribute to that beauty this summer. (July 30, 6:25 a.m.)
Feeling rebellious after my night of interrupted sleep. Not wearing socks, and my shirt is out of tuck. So there. If the Uniform Police come after me, it’s not going to be pretty. (“Out of tuck” was one of 3- or 4-yo Tyler’s cries when that unruly shirttail wouldn’t stay where it was supposed to be.) (July 30, 9:31 a.m.)
Guys at my breakfast table talking about the sizes of their stick bags. I’m hoping they’re percussionists! (July 31, 8:31 a.m.)
Tyler and Scott/ T. J., I figured out at breakfast why we can’t remember names and faces until we’ve seen the person a number of times. It’s because we’ve got so much music and computer code taking up space in our brains. (July 31, 8:55 a.m.)
Enjoyed a very clever play tonight – “Failure: A Love Story.” If you ever see that it’s being produced somewhere, go see it! (July 31, 8:56 p.m.)
Where the heck did August come from?! (August 1, 6:55 a.m.)
Diana Krall said she sent in her audition tape to Interlochen when she was 13 and played 3rd clarinet in her school band. She was not accepted. (August 1, 8:24 p.m.)
One week from tonight I’ll be sleeping in my own comfortable bed with my own comfortable sweetheart and my big fat comfortable cat! (There’s another cat, but dog only knows where he sleeps!) (August 2, 8:32 p.m.)
Let the record show that I feel good about my performance in this morning’s Dress Rehearsal #1. (August 3, 1:24 p.m.)
And I’ll finish by sharing with you my favorite photo on Facebook from this week:
