Wednesday, March 31, 2004

LAMDA LAMDA LAMDA
I had my LAMDA Gold Medal Exam today...

Preparation started a few days ago, when I started using lots of Clearasil and ate nice good healthy things to stop me from being ill on the day. I also had a shower yesterday (dun dun DUUUN!) The real psyching began late last night, when I went over my lines and blocking (stage directions) three times before going to sleep.

I must have gone over them in my sleep too o_o; As soon as I woke up, it was another line recital while tucked up in the cosiness of my duvet.

I was very careful to pick my favourite socks and boxer shorts while getting dressed. The little things can make all the difference. Not that they'd help me remember lines directly or anything; feeling good about yourself is all part of confidence building. The better your confidence, the better you can present yourself on stage. I wasn't going to prace around in my underwear in front of the examiner, but some of the 'Next' brand boxers I have tend to... travel. But I digress.

I made sure three times that I was wearing the right clothes, and had prepared the right stuff for my costumes and props. In all I needed my high-school blazer, my smart shoes, a white shirt, black trousers, my normal comfy shoes and bear feet, which I come equipped with anyway. The rest of the props/costumes were at college.

I left home rather uptight, and asked mum if she could leave commentating on her driving (for my learning benefit) so I could listen to the Outlaw Star tape and relax a bit. It helped somewhat, but I was still tense about getting to Wardrobe in time to pick up my toga, blue blazer and big mannequin torso.

Sue the Wardrobe Mistress was late, which didn't help my nerves much ^_^; On the way to the Assembly Hall I bought a McVitie's chocolate HobNob flapjack, which would have gone down well, had I been in the mood for it to actually go down at all.

After a very quiet half-hour wait outside of the Hall, Jez emerged, having done his exam directly before mine. He's a cool guy. I gathered up my stuff and waited behind the curtain at the back of thr room for the examiner to give her bell.

I'd heard stories about LAMDA examiners being hard-arse battleaxes, but the lady who examined us was really nice ^_^ Friendly, relaxing, considerate... but very proper. Not that that's a bad thing, mind. Being an examiner you kind of expect it.

I started with a piece from Last of the Red Hot Lovers, by Niel Simon. The piece went fairly well, but I missed some lines near the end, and my accent kept slipping on one or two words. She seemed happy with it though, so I went on to prepare for my Julius Caesar.

I think I started before she was ready >____<; That's a big faux pas when it comes to LAMDA exams. Aside from the three monologues you do, you're marked on things like presentation, and interrupting the examiner before she's ready can ruffle their feathers somewhat, not to mention looks unprofessional. I just caught her looking at me and gathered it was a cue to start... ah well, there's not much I can do about it now.

The Cassius speech flowed much better than I expected, heh. Nicey nice. Then came what I consider to be my best piece- the opening monologue of The Children, by Edward Bond.

It's not a cheerful play by any means, but it's a rather poignant bit that I like. I performed with... um... gusto, and a large mannequin body part dressed in a school jacket.

She sat me down after the exam at a little table in front of the acting area, where she gave me a brief rundown of what she thought.

She said it was obvious that I really enjoyed acting, and also that I sang. Aparrently I pitch really well, which was surprising but not unpleasant to know.

It was over very quickly, actually, and I was far less nervous than I'd anticipated. I guess since I knew what was actually meant to be coming I could anticipate it more.

I'm very happy with how it went. I think I may have passed, but I won't know for another month or so, when the results come through. There were some fairly big errors in my method, but she said she really enjoyed the pieces I did. I guess that's a good sign ^_^

Now, I Haroun and Bouncers all holiday long. Glory be to major roles... >.>

EDIT: Eee ^____^ The ads on my site referred to Furries! I'm happy. Furries rock.

EDIT 2: It's 'congratulations'. With a t. I'm ashamed at the person who shall remain nameless who I saw spelling it with a d. Whoo, you're in trouble now...
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