Commencement is tomorrow, and the UArts chapter of my life story is coming to a close. This morning, we did the typical commencement rehearsal, and received some words of advice from our respective deans. They told us to be persistent, to never give up, and to make art for our own sake, so that we'll always enjoy what we create. I also had the honor and privilege of attending the awards ceremony for the College of Performing Arts here at UArts. I received the Terruso Combat Award for my work in stage combat for the past four years of college. However, they should have recognized the man who made it all possible, Charles Conwell. When I first walked into Conwell's class my freshman year, I was a timid, nervous girl from West Virginia, who was already terrified after hearing that Conwell was "intense" and "serious." Much to my surprise, I was also chosen to be "Victim of the Day," or the class demonstrator for the hour and a half that followed. Of course, Conwell was tough on me, and always made sure to point out when I messed up, and yes, he was very intense! But despite all of that, I never once dreaded his class. His class was the only class I had never considered skipping (and let's be honest, for a college student to never skip a class is unheard of). I came to UArts because I thought I wanted to be a dramatic actor onstage, doing soliloquies and monologues. From the moment I stepped into Conwell's class to the moment I stepped offstage after my last SPT, I knew (and know) that stage combat would be (and is) game-changer for me. Four years later, I am headed to Seattle to pursue a career in stunt performance. If someone had said to freshman me, "You are going to be a stuntwoman," I would have laughed in that person's face. But it's a great indicator of how much I have grown as an artist and performer, and I have Conwell to thank for that. He has been an incredible motivator, and has continued to push me to do better than what I can do, because he believed in my potential. Conwell has taught me many things, but most importantly, he has taught me the value of commitment. Commitment is what makes you brave enough to stand onstage with another actor, dangerous props in hand, and look the audience in the eye and say, "Watch." Commitment is what makes you pick up a broomstick in your living room and go over the choreography for several hours a day, alone. Commitment is what makes you want to do just that for the rest of your life. My greatest hope is that I will have the chance to work with Conwell in the future. I am honored to have him as a teacher, a colleague, and friend. "Safety, aggression, danger, and pain. Moment to moment, total commitment."
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This has been an INSANE week or so. On Thursday, April 25th, The Arabian Nights, directed by the lovely Amy Dugas Brown, opened at the University of the Arts's Arts Bank. I choreographed and coordinated the fight scenes for the show. Charles Conwell attended the show, and afterwards congratulated me on (quote), "The best slap UArts has ever seen." What a confidence boost! On Monday, April 29th, I and and the rest of the Acting/Musical Theatre seniors participated in the Philadelphia Showcase in the Caplan Studio Theatre. I performed a short fight scene with my dear friend and colleague Sydney Wilson, which I believe was very well received. Most of the showcase went off without a hitch... with the exception that Sydney accidentally had some of her actual hair torn out as she was carried offstage by two of our classmates! The irony in this comes from the fact that, in the monologue by Bekah Brunstetter I performed before the fight, I said, "I could rip out your hair extensions." We'll just say the little mishap caused a huge ripple of excitement in the audience. On Wednesday the 1st and Thursday the 2nd, I had excerpts from my latest one-act, The Shakes, and my short story, Lily With a Y, read in front of an audience. And last but CERTAINLY not least, yesterday, Saturday, May 4th, was my last UArts SAFD Fight Proficiency Test. I was INCREDIBLY nervous, but after a long afternoon of sweat, swords, and Shakespeare, I was certified with EXCELLENCE in smallsword, saber, quarter staff, and sword/shield! Out of the eighteen fights performed before Allen Suddeth, there were fifty-two recommended passes, which is truly amazing. Although I am relieved to be finished with this week, it is bittersweet, because my UArts experience is basically over. I absolutely adore everyone I've had the honor of working with, particularly my stage combat class. Bring it on, commencement. |
Jessi's ThoughtsHey everyone! This blog is to keep you updated on what I'm currently working on. I will be posting show dates, readings, and other crazy stuff here. Archives
May 2018
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