Well, a quick post. This week has been sad and marvellous and hard and full.
The last show of Midsummers yesterday. One of my finer performances I think. Rather detailed. I went in with the provocation of specificity and connection and it paid off.
On Wednesday, we performed it in beautiful Botanic Park which was glorious and sunny up until the last 15 minutes, when thunder, lightning and rain poured down. About 50 people bolted off to their cars but 100 people got under an enormous umbrella and we finished the show in the rain. It was one of the most fun, probably the most fun, I've had on stage/on grass. I improvised wildly. Adam was wearing a metal knights hat as Bottom and instead of the requisite 'Strangle yourself'' I said 'Why don't you poke your head at the sky and wait for lightning to hit?' The audience went nuts. I managed not to corpse for once...
We didn't get to do the extra COLONISATION show which was a bummer, but we have the final one today. I'm going to work on clarity and moment to moment work today and also play, be naughty....
I finally went up in the Gondolas which was the most spectacular view. All of Steamboat and a view of the mountain.
ahhh, we went for dinner at a sponsors house, which was awkward and really nice all at the same time, I've played a lot of frisbee and decided to be vegetarian - the meat here sucks and makes me feel repulsive. And the highlight of the week was going to the hot springs, huge rock pools all different temperatures and everyone goes completely nude. You can see the stars for miles when it's clear, which it was. The moon was full and the brightest moon I've ever seen.
I was only disappointed that my crush didn't come as it was tres romantic... up until I lost my tog bottoms and got hit in the head by a bat. It didn't hurt, just swiped me but even so.
I'm feeling really very sad to leave this place. It has been extremely good for me, for my spirit. And I'm so looking forward to NYC, but not looking forward to the possibility of going back to New Zealand. I guess I've realised I have huge ambitions and I don't know whether I can meet them back home. I've got this idea that I'm going to be challenged more as an artist overseas and I will have to fight for my craft, I think that is really important to fight. One can become idle.
Well, goodbye Steamboat, thank you for the memories. I'll be back.
A kooky kiwi's tales of experiences abroad... and mixed with life notes.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
What a day this has been, what a great mood I'm in...pm
I'm going to be as organised as I can in this post as a lot has happened this week, and I've been a bit average about getting to it!
Water, bagels and cream cheese, saw a fox and a skunk, heard a hyena, disappointment at leaving the Boat and a big change in COLONISATION.
So the final two weeks here are (and have) being spent doing a kids drama camp - akin to the holiday programmes I do back home. Except they are 930am - 12pm and so tiring, you can't imagine. We have over 40 kids per week! 3 groups of kids and have to produce a show on the Friday for the parents. Last week, I was working with Tane and we had 14 joyous little kids, all the boys and lots and lots of imagination. Their piece was entitled 'The Tragic Saga of the Potato Kingdom' and about a potato village taken over by Vampire robots and run by dogs. We made it rhyme.... Honestly, it is always very humbling working with children, especially devising with children, as you can tell from the idea of last weeks play - there is nothing you cannot fit in, or rather, no room for logic!
Monday night we had a BBQ at our friend Kurtis' house. His Mom Suzy is amazing and catered for the meatys and the veggies. The climax of the evening resulted in us in their pool, hottub and sauna, which we now can use at our discretion. I've been in just about every day in my hilarious purple Mexican inspired tankini.
Wednesday night was another dinner, this time at Alex's Mom's - Joy. Who is the biggest joy I've ever met. She's a Short, chic haired and wide blue eyed lady from Minnesota, and the most interesting, caring, delightful woman. I arrived with Alex and Adam after INTO THE WOODS, and not ten minutes after we arrived there was the freakiest storm I've ever been in. Like a hurricane or a twister - even though they don't get them in Steamboat - rain, thunder, hail, lightning, whole place shaking, trees falling down. When it settled down, we went outside, the house was covered in debris and we proceeded to have a snowball fight in the driveway. I had a rather unfortunately large snowball go down the back of my dress, into my underpants and sort of plop out on to the ground just as the others arrived - all shaken as they had driven through the worst of the storm... so not many noticed the hideous timing of snowball to Kate ratio.
A bonfire was lit by Joy's religious, republican husband Allan, who is the nicest guy ever and also very interesting. A true blue Mid Western man. Shiteload of guns, which of course is not up my alley, but all the same...
He had a firetorch and kept hooning it at the bonfire. Picture attached.
3 different kinds of pasta, Basil Gimlets and we were outside singing American songs and chatting away. I was the lead singer for the evening and confidence really is my friend. I decided I was going to be fantastic and was!!
Em and I ended up sleeping over there as it was too difficult to get home, we played Scattergories with Joy and Allan - Joy came up with the dirtiest things much to our amusement (Mum, if you're reading this, you would love it. You should order it and play it with Tom and Ave... It's a great test of knowledge and very fun and silly) Allan showed us one if his guns - Joy tried to stop him but he was convinced we would love seeing it...
And then Emma, Alex and I hung out and watched 'Willow' then went to sleep, though I was convinced there was a bear outside so Alex had to do a check of the grounds! It was a gorgeously full evening.
Saturday's Shakespeare was difficult. We were at Spring Creek and we all had 2nd night itis, which I know believe is actors too convinced that they know the play really well once they've opened and can go onto auto pilot. I was so aware of wanting to try to include the audience within each beat/scene that I was a bit disconnected at the beginning and everyone else seemed uber aware of themselves so the first half was like pushing shit uphill.
Then Sunday hit and OH MY - Was it tough! WE turned up for rehearsal at 1230pm. By 2.15 pm an actor hadn't turned up... this actor who really suited the part (but wasn't an actor) and was rarely there when we needed him/didn't know lines etc. Anyway, finally he turns up and it is 35 degrees outside. No apology. Anyway, Adam fires him on the spot. No discussion.
I understand, he had had several warnings and we were all super pissed with him. But he had blocked it, he vaguely knew it, he was right for it and now Adam is playing the part.
He did a really good show, we were all really nervous for him and us but once it built momentum we were fine. I was quite proud of him.
However, I am now extremely annoyed because it means I do not get a day off before I go to NYC because he needs to rehearse up. We have two shows tomorrow night from 5. AND a rehearsal during the day. In my opinion that is not fair, not after we've taught kiddies for 3 hours.
I want to serve the shows to the best of my ability, and I wont be as able to do that if I'm exhausted.
However, I am really enjoying the aspect of play in COLONISATION. I improvise, and feel free to do so. There is a lot of creative license here because it is a test.
Yesterday we experienced the Yampa River and the phenomenon known as 'tubing.' Basically you get a tyre like device, blown up and donned with a mesh bottom, cup holders and rope.
We got let loose with all our mates and went down the Yampa for three hours through rapids, around rocks, laughing and enjoying the fast and slow of mother nature.
I bought a 4 dollar dispensable camera which I worked my arse off to keep dry and when I got to the very end of film, I managed to totally dunk it... it's at the printers now.... we shall see.
It was so much fun, we had a couple of beers, had oodles of sunscreen. Laughed at Emma, who couldn't reach the water to paddle. My top came off as I floated past an upmarket restaurant on the river. Alex got hysterical with laughter. Asa got stranded on a rock on his 'tube' which was actually a blown up double bed. Was the funniest thing ever.
Nick saved me heaps when I, lounging on my tube went into the bush foliage, and I sold my tube to Amy afterwards so I didn't have to pay extra. Boom!
We had Kurtis and Alex over for dinner and beers and all was swell.
I've had enough of writing so this will have to do for now. K?!
Monday, July 12, 2010
And accompanied by...
"Music makes the people, come together"
Asa, Alex and Kurtis
Boom!
Me and Alex
A gorgeous and weird storm followed by a sunset in mist and a rainbow
So, this is Excel - the gymnasium where I learnt how to do a forward roll and kind of a flip. There is a massive sponge pit with a trampoline underneath... oooohhh.... ahhh!
Double Z Burger
Me and Adam
Me and KurtisIf this video works you'll see 4th of July offer. Yay!
I had to do it coz I'm a bit vain....
David McGill Hi Kate Good to see Rob Crozier there among Wednesday Loafers Oh Happy Birthday at last Toodlepip DK Dad
Gussie Rose McDonald Happy Birthday Katie!!! Lots of love and hugs and kisses and stuff... xx♥
Jennifer Ricci HEY SWEETNESS......
Happy Birthday to You. I hope your day was a fantastic one....xoxo
♥
Harriet McDonald Happy Birthday cuz to the muz, hope it's a ripper - where are you currently residing? Keep me posted on whether or not we can meet up over the next couple of weeks! xx
Leroy Lakamu HAPPPYYYY BOORRRNNNN DAAYYYY!!!! AN AWESOME DAY TO BE BORN. ;)
Ginette McDonald Happy Birthday Darling Heart xxxxxxxx Mum
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Sam Mackay happy bday kate! hope you're fine and well... been aaages! hope u have great day :)
Ropata Ropati Happy Birthday e hoa. xx
Asalemo Tofete What!? A spesol day for you today? xxx
Ban Abdul Woop Woop!
Joyeux Anniversaire demoiselle belle!
May you find mad, passionate, true blue love, inner joy, adventure and laughter till the end of your days.
And may it all get better and richer like wine with time -as the good men seem to also do- ;)
...
Jess McGill Happy birthday!!!! Have a wonderful day... All my love from London town.... Xx
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Kate McGill is rather overwhelmed in a good way - thank you soooo much for all the birthday love. xoxox
Katie West Tollar Happy Amercian Birthday you sexy little minx!!!
Anna McGill happy Birthday! have a great day in NY! You lucky thing!!!! x
Lyndee-Jane Rutherford Mah bebe! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emily Pita Happy Birthday Miss Gretel Lady- hope your living it up and finding yourself some young talent that will offer himself to you like a pig with an apple on a silver platter- mmmm juicy pigs xox
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