Friday, November 6, 2009

I Dreamed a Dream

What things did you do in high school? Where you in the band? Were you in the plays? Part of the drama club? Speech team? National Honors Society? Cheerleader?

The answer for me to all of the above questions is yes.. well except the cheerleader part.

I play the flute, have since 5th grade and played all through high school. But the thing I always secretly wanted to do was have a lead role in a Spring Musical. It took me until my sophomore year to get the courage to even try out. I tried out and I didn't make it. I did make the spring musical though, as part of the chorus.

Over that summer I took an acting class with my little sister and so I decided to try again. This time my junior year I made it! I just had a small part in the fall play, but I was in. Musical time came around if you wanted a lead you had to do a musical audition. I am a soprano but at the time thought I wasn't as I really couldn't hit the high notes. So I practiced the alto part, which was so hard for me (playing the flute makes you hear the high melody really easily).. I thought I was all ready to go. Then the person before me, they sang the soprano part! I went out and all I could think of was their part and I shook and croaked my way through the song. They did have pity on me and put me as part of the chorus.

Long story short, I had a main role in the fall play my senior year and that was it... always just the chorus or small parts for me the rest of the time. My dream didn't come true.

While in college, I took a basic vocals class... that dream to really sing was always there. I took it during a summer term which turned out to be the best thing ever. During the regular semesters grad students teach the class.. but during the summer I got THE professor. The one who wrote the book for the class and I LOVED it! My ability increased, my confidence increased...

and so this Saturday I am trying out for a musical the stake of my church is producing. We have some amazingly talented people in our stake that wrote the whole production, music and all.

So this Saturday I am putting it all on the line and rather appropriately singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. And well, hopefully I don't croak this time.

I am on the right, one of the chorus members in Cinderella
I did get to dance with the prince though!

20 comments:

  1. Good luck! Way to keep trying and trying. I hope you make it!

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  2. Oh oh oh hon...good luck!! I did all of those things in HS too..even the flute(so not a cheerleader.LOL). I did the musicals then though..would love to now. I sang lead in a couple of them..it was fun!! I will be sending good singing vibes your way!! Whoo hoo Let Fly girl!!!
    Hugs, Sarah

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  3. that is awesome, go emmy!!!

    i did cheerleading for football and basketball all 4 years, swimming 1 yr, track & field 1 yr, spring musical all 4 years. i tried out for the lead sophomore, junior, and senior year, and finally got it senior year in "how to succeed in business without really trying." it was SO much fun. i love going back and watching the tapes:-)

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  4. I never did any of those things, except a chorus part in a play, but I did help make costumes and do props for other plays!
    I was the girl that would always be found in the Art Room doing my paintings, and I did have my own art exhibition once! I also modelled for other students that were taking exams! That was hard work sitting still for so long! My profile picture is a painting of me done by a friend! And I play piano and guitar too.

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  5. I did the drama thing. Had great roles in the musicals (I think Hodel in Fiddler was my favorite). Loved every moment.

    But. I am not in any way shape or form musical. In fact, I'm certain I annoyed the heck out of my music teachers. I don't read music, can't play an instrument and theory goes straight over my head. I hear it a few times and I'm fine, but beyond that, I am clueless.

    Long story short, I envy your fluting ability. Your musicality. Don't sell yourself short because you were in the chorus. Musicals are MADE on good choruses. :)

    Thanks for your comment this morning!!

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  6. That is so cool! Good luck. My daughter is in her school's musical this week-Seussical. She tried out for the chorus but she has had the time of her life.

    I'm sure you will do great.

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  7. Break a leg!

    We didn't have musicals at my high school, but we did have UIL plays. I lived for theatre. It's funny how the things we felt were such a part of us can get pushed to the wayside as we get older. Good for you for getting back into it.

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  8. Good luck! I hope you make the lead. What fun memories for you and for your family to see you up on stage! I mean no good luck, break a leg!

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  9. I did all of those things except band. My school didn't do musicals except once my junior year and by then I was too involved in cheerleading and academic decathlon to even think about it. Break a leg at your audition, I hope you make it!

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  10. Cool. I have always wanted to be in a play, but however I never got any parts.
    I love to act though.
    good luck!

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  11. Love that song. Les Miserables was our Senior Musical and guess who got to be a lovely lady? :)
    Good luck with your try out!

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  12. Kristin doesn't want to. :( She has her own youtoube account on which she is supposed to sing. She hasn't. Her excuse: She doesn't know where the video camera is. As for you...break a leg as the saying goes. And have fun!!!

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  13. Break a leg!!! Will be sending good vibes your way tomorrow!

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  14. Good luck!!! I have a feeling that you will be fab, dahling.

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  15. Oh how I wish I could sing! Good luck...I can't wait to hear all about it!

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  16. Good luck! You'll have to keep us posted on how it goes!

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  17. Way to keep at it!! That's awesome, I'm sure you'll do great!

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  18. Oh YAYYYYY!! Good for you, I hope it went well!! I can't sing to save my life. I was in all the plays but did the directing and lights for the musicals :) I also wasn't in band, but I was a cheerleader. Fun stuff!! Can't wait to hear what happened.

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  19. How great for you for not giving up on your dreams!!!! That is a great lesson to teach your kids! Break a leg!

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  20. Go for it and give it all ya got. I love musicals and love being in them, too.

    Your Halloween looked lovely!

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