Chapter nineteen

September 28, 2010

Settling into life.

I thought I’d have more to say about that but apparently eloquence in the written form is not my friend today. So I’ll leave it at that. I’m settling into the daily grind: preparing for my various teaching gigs while not spending money despite the fact that I’ve been teaching for three solid weeks (I only get paid once a month and this month has not yet ended), finding the balance between spending time with my boyfriend, friends, and myself (girl needs her alone-time), and basically trying to figure out life.

Yeah…figuring it all out and finding peace with everything; I think I’m nearly there. If only the sun would shine…and feel like early Fall…instead of mid-Fall…psh details.

My boyfriend and are have been looking – or rather, smelling – different perfumes and colognes this past week. We’re both out of the scents we regularly wear and are looking for new scents. If you know me you’ll know I’m not into tres-girlie things and it’s been hard for me to find a scent that I like. I don’t like very pungent smells like vanilla or rose but I do want something that will linger. One of the mists I currently use is Victoria’s Secret “Heavenly.” I like it but it might be a little too…sweet smelling. If you have any suggestions on eaus to try or comments on what you wear and why you like it, leave a comment and let me know. Oh, and his scent? We both like Banana Republic’s “Slate” and Diesel’s “Fuel for Life.” Gesta’s birthday is coming up in October and I have to make a decision.

In the beginning of October I will finally have regularly scheduled rehearsals to go to. A few others – though I know not whom – and I will perform in Threads Dance Project’s debut show April 1-2. It’s a new contemporary dance company and I’m quite looking forward to getting my dance on again. Teaching is one thing but it doesn’t compare to dancing with a company and preparing for a show. Ah…it’s my fuel.

Guess that’s it for now. Remember to check out my website at Laurenbakerarts.com. And if you or your friends need headshots or your senior portraits taken, send me an e-mail or leave a comment here. We will work out an affordable rate for you ;)

Chapter eighteen

September 3, 2010

Today marks the day of my very first Disney audition. The audition was for Face Characters/Look-Alikes – think Alice, Wendy, Snow White, Prince Eric, etc – for the Disney Tokyo Resort.

I know what you’re thinking; it’s Disney. Working for them is essentially selling out artistically. But here’s the deal: the contract would is 13 months long. Disney would fly you out to Tokyo, put up in a private furnished studio apartment, pay you a handsome weekly salary, and pay you per diem. What starving artist wouldn’t want that?

Upon walking into the tiny studio, which had to have been filled with at least 100 hopefuls, my first impression was “oh crap…I’m not dressed appropriately.” Underneath my navy blue jumper I wore a blue leotard, tan jazz tights, and black Lululemon shorts. Change the color of the leotard and that’s exactly what I wore to the Royal Caribbean Cruise audition. All of the women in the room – save for your random t-shirt and jean wearing auditionee – wore a form-fitting, hourglass-showing dress with their perfectly hair curled.

I recently learned (through trial and error) the dress code for commercial dance/musical theater/cruise ship auditions. No one told me there was a different dress code for commercial Character portrayal auditions. Live and learn I guess.

Deciding it was better to leave my jumper on than be in a leotard, I made my way to the front. We learned a “dance” which consisted of waving as your character, walking around yourself, clutching your hands to your heart, and curtsying. Easy. Apparently I was too cheesy and/or too toothy for Alice or Wendy – character roles based on height – because I was cut…when they kept people who forgot the choreography. C’est la vie n’est pas?

The audition was fun and something I’d do again if I were in NYC, LA, or FL already but I probably wouldn’t fly out just to audition.

**Side note: I’ve noticed that men in NYC are less creepy than men in Chicago when they hit on you. Just a random observation for you.