An Act of Performance

shut up and bring it :)

2011-11-07T01:22:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I went to auditions for a musical I would love to be a part of.
During the hour long drive down to the auditions I tried hard not to think of how this commute was gonna work out if I were to be cast. Since the audition process was being held in a dance room with everyone getting to hear everyone else, once the girl before me finished her singing, she was asked how she was gonna make it out every day/other day to the rehearsal from where she was staying ... good 2 hours away from the rehearsals. Her reply was, she had done another show in the area before this. She was a mother, had a baby a few years ago, which kept her busy, finally she had the support to do what she loves and follow her passion, and she confidently told them to not worry about the commute, she would be there on time if not early. After hearing this, I simply shut my head up with its curious wonderings of how this and how that. In this business you gotta say 'yes' take the jobs you get and make it work, and if you are around people who work harder than you, you learn a lot. When you see how motivated they are to do what they love, your own obstacles are put into perspective. I got cast and can't wait to bring it!!

Recording is another animal

2011-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we recorded the music for Ozma of Oz. Learned a lot in terms of recording music. What a challenge to show power of voice without blasting off the microphone. Fingers crossed to see Ozma of Oz become a full production!

My first time being in a new musical workshop

2011-05-31T23:20:00.000-07:00

I am ecstatic to be part of Cutting Ball Theater's Ozma of Oz: A trip hop musical. At the end of two weeks of rehearsal, we will be recording music and doing two readings for the public. I have heard great things about Cutting Ball's adventurous nature and am happy to be part of this journey.

I had no idea what a workshop entails. Well, this is a world where all is open to dialogue and discovery. During the last three rehearsals I found myself in midst discussions about characters, plot, line edits, etc. There are countless references being thrown around. Considering, this is from the Wizard of Oz series, there is a lot of substance to be talked about. Every rehearsal I end up with a list of plays, music, authors and such that I'd like to look up to see how they served as an inspiration.

As an actor we try various approaches to visualizing our characters, saying our lines, playing with lyrics and rhymes, and this is just the reading part, I can't wait till we work with the band (Z.O.N.K). This process is so refreshing, where your concerns are different than "oh man, I need to be off book in a week!?!" It's cool to find myself humming songs that no one knows yet! This process is more about the creation, at this point you have the power to shape the story and contribute in the process.

I find all this to be very inspiring as a process, an example to show what goes into creating something like a musical, a lot of homework of course! As each rehearsal we are provided the edits we made at the last one. I am fully enjoying this iterative, collaborative work with creative folk who are equally excited about the process as the creators. Can't wait to see where we will be at the end of two weeks. This reading will be instrumental in getting people interested in the upcoming musical. Come see us bring the story of Ozma of Oz to life with music Jun 10&11.

Songs list

2011-01-31T01:14:00.000-08:00

I used to write down the names of songs and moments from memories that had made me feel something, a particular emotion that I could draw on, if I needed that emotion for a performance. I remember glancing over the list once before I began preparing for a monologue and that's all it took. I realized that exercise hasn't worked in a long time. The list doesn't bring out much. I was confused and upset n how this had come to be. Am I cold now? Indifferent? Does nothing go through anymore?

Two days ago I heard a song, and then at least 50 more times and each time the heart raced to match the beats in the song. The same day I had to prepare a monologue for an audition. With that piece of music lingering around my head, I realized how similar this was to what I used to do before. Once again with the help of music my emotions became accessible to me, it's the songs that had changed... I needed a new list.

Immerse

2010-08-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love with a song. I want to learn it and sing it. I listen to it continuously, on the subway, while walking, waiting, paying attention to each groove in the phrasing. I think of it, I record myself singing it, I listen to that, I make note of what I need to work on. It is so meditative, I want to fall asleep listening to it, I want to wake up with that in my head and being, I want to go to the park and practice it in the morning. I am always conscious of singing out loud because I feel I'll bother people around me. It is simply wonderful to immerse oneself into something so deeply because you love every moment of that feeling of wanting to know something so well. Wanting to give it all your attention and focus so you can create it yourself. I love to sing and when a music I hear takes me on that journey, I only feel bliss.

Tsunami to share

2010-08-12T17:30:00.000-07:00

Another post about how much is being experienced and learned, yet no time spent on this blog to write about it.. I really should, but simply no time.

Today I heard something from an artist and I've been thinking about it since then.
These artists are an international ensemble who get together and create new works. I found it amazing, so while talking with one of them, I asked how it is, working with people who are not exactly in the same city or even country. He said they all liked collaborating and liked the time spent together creating and learning. And then they would take each what they found and the period of gestation would let them create further on their own and share once again upon meeting and discover how it has developed.

I find that exercise to be very interesting and something I consider valuable as an artist and I think I would like to experience working with an ensemble such as that.

Are you ready?

2010-07-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

People ask me what is New York like? How do you like it? New York to me is like that one place that has things that are desired an arm lengths from you , staring at you and telling you... here it is, you can have it.. now all you need to do is give everything you've got, hard work, time, effort, patience, money and faith. And then is the toughest part, decide if you are ready to jump in.

I have a lot of updates to make from the workshops and classes here but no time, will try.

Schegrueling

2010-05-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

That's what I call it. An actor faces schegrueling when weeks after an audition you suddenly learn that yes, you have been called back and you are elated and then soon after you realize that you have other opportunity coming up at the same time. Now it's between the callback that may lead to casting, but then there is that opportunity that you already have, but you know the former is more attractive. Why does it happen like that? I don't know. And you have no time, you must decide, you must negotiate, you must be tactful. Even after all the schegreuling, no matter how well you plan, you must accept that fact that unfortunately there is only one of you. What does ease this process is, open communication, NOT waiting forever to let people know that you may be in the process of making up your mind and I guess have a process of elimination. I commend the people who have learned to prioritize what opportunities to jump on and which to hold off on. But I guess that comes with experience and knowing your industry more, knowing how this city works more. I will say I am glad to be in a situation to be able to make a choice, big or small. Back to schegreuling.

Feeling the pangs of the social networks ?

2010-05-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Though I should be blogging about other more relevant experiences about theater and my findings so far.. I feel I must recollect for myself a revelation I had. While hanging out at a food festival in Manhattan, I made use of the camera on the phone and started the clicking.

Snapping some clever signs put up by the shops presenting a variety of food items, some food frying over the grill, some funny outfits.. and on and on, uploading that to my Facebook account..walking absorbing the tapestry of aromas around me..oh look someone already commented.. replying to that. After few status updates, uploads and comments the phone is dead. Now what? Well, there is a 12 block food festival staring me in the face, I guess it's time to enjoy, eat, drink, listen to the music, watch an awkward dance performance by a dude dressed in a batman outfit dancing to everything from soul tunes to bollywood music, check out the religious puppet show.

Now I don't know if this is normal, or perhaps this is just me, I think in the back of my head .. "Would be nice to take a picture of this, and post it on my fb"... does anyone else feel that? Do other people have that desire when they encounter something cool or amusing to quickly tweet about it or facebook it? Is it normal? I can't tell. It's almost like suffering from a condition or ailment that I had no idea I had. Perhaps I'm thinking too much. Is it like a silent disability in the community, not being able to enjoy a moment and letting it go without making a record? Telling the world? Why? How much of this is for my own memory? And how much just to post on the profile or tweet and then what? What is the point? May be the issue is not how much work goes into recording all these moments at the expense of simply living them.. but the anxiety of how they will be forgotten or as if they haven't really happened because they were never exhibited on one of the portals for people to look at, like, comment or for myself to go back to reminisce.

Today I had a great day, many good moments and I chose not to tweet/Facebook it. It didn't seem necessary, may be the idea of sharing the moment is fulfilled by the presence of another person. She doesn't seem too keen on social networking, she is still working on the text messaging. We had a great time.. at several moments I thought about taking a picture but didn't get around to it.. simply lived and let that moment be, not sure if I'm regretting that I didn't take a picture, make a video or update my status .. but I do have that feeling that those moments will perhaps be more easily lost in the fast paced life.

The Day Job

2010-04-07T00:28:00.000-07:00

All working actors or should I say artists are familiar with the "day job". I am not gonna generalize here and say artists usually seem to mention their day jobs as something that they'd rather not talk about because they are oh so boring or just a stupid job for money... but it might just be that .. a boring job for money. But lately I have decided to look at it a little differently, perhaps I've realized how much this industry of "art" is about money. In fact I recently read an article on Backstage headlined "They don't call it ShowArt", yea, take that. Being labeled as "struggling artists" is not something gets you discounts for showcases, workshops, classes, headshots, etc. All these are requirements for the industry we are trying to make it in and our day jobs are paying for all this. So I've decided to say it with confidence rather than a submissive chuckle that yes I work on websites because guess what? That pays the bills, brings money that allows me to attend classes and train and keep my game on. Keep my .. as they say .. instrument tuned..

I know I know, what if your day job is quiet boring and intolerable... perhaps just thinking about how it is allowing you to practice your art to some extent will help you look at it more than just an unbearable activity. Sure it would be perfect if we got to train all day and attend auditions and kudos to you if you can. You are lucky, enjoy it, make the most of it. But, if you can't afford to, and instead you are in the land of evening classes and rehearsals, and hold a job, in today's day and age, who after a day of work is ready to dive into your passion, well I would say double kudos to you.

New York

2010-04-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

This year I will be spending a couple of months beginning April 10 in New York. The goal is to watch, observe and work in theaters in New York. To me New York means a place where people who are serious about performance and theater get a chance to work with established companies and learn from experienced artists. There is always that moment when you go to a place where people are doing things you have always dreamed of doing and there is a feeling of excitement, pressure and curiosity. I felt all this and at times did feel overwhelmed. But, I choose to look at all this as an opportunity to be around people who are serious and dedicated to the art they are in. Artists here are here because they believe in the possibility of them achieving their goals. This mindset is important to be around. If you want something and you are around people who either have it or work on getting it, you see what you need and where you are in your own pursuit. I believe this time spent in New York, will help answer these questions for myself.

My Rehearsal Rules

2010-03-10T15:34:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Often a lack of rehearsal protocols for lengthy rehearsal periods can make the experience frustrating. I have found the following set of basic rules to be extra helpful. I make sure I remind myself of these each time I step into a rehearsal.

Respect people's time
Show up on time, that doesn't mean 30 mins after or 5 mins after, that means whatever time it takes you to get to the rehearsals and warm up and be ready to work at the time stated. I hate it when people stroll in while mouthing their excuses and waste more time justifying what happened.

Also, leave on time. Some people take advantage of people's time thinking "Oh I would go on all night with the rehearsal" too bad, you hopefully have a life. And when you succomb to such demands.. you are not following the schedule and you are giving out the message that it is ok to be unprepared till the last minute and by then we can just make up for everything we should have done by ridiculous rehearsal times. If you were suppose to leave by 10pm, you leave by 10pm. If things are really heating up, stuff's getting done, tell the stage manager or director at 9:30 or 9:45 that you are scheduled to leave at 10pm that way they will know how to coordinate. Bottom line, if you show up on time and leave on time you declare by that simple action that you mean business in terms of committment.

We've been given 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them in that ratio.

Listen more than talk. With a large ensemble it is important to follow this constantly. There is no way to emphasize this enough. Just do it.

Keep your suggestions and ideas to yourself during rehearsal.

Sometimes a director may have a lot on their plate, if they are performing as well, they might feel stalled in making observations quickly and providing sound creative input right at the moment. That doesn't mean actors and others start telling them what should be done and how something can be made better. Shut up people.. just let the person think for a second. If you feel something else should be considered try reaching them during a break or email them or call them.. but for God sakes don't interrupt them during rehearsal. Especially in dance, don't ever tell the choreographer how it is suppose to look.. trust me it's only gonna end up making you look like a jerk and not help the rehearsal at all. If you have to get the baby out then the least you can do is ask for permission to suggest or express your beliefs.

Do not tell another artist how to perform or initiate a conversation about what YOU think of their performance
When we rehearse, we are experimenting, we are artists are making ourselves vulnerable and trying out things that may make us look good or bad.. the last thing we want is another artist telling us why it didn't work or why it did. . unless you ask them.. their is no reason they should be vocalizing their opinions.. again, director is there for a reason.

Overall, rehearsal is suppose to be about more than just blocking and learning lines.. infact if you are gonna learn your lines during rehearsals might as well not bother... rehearsal is about discovery, about materializing your vision with bodies and actions. When I say vision, it is not the actor's vision.. no sorry... it is the director's vision.. I know that sounds kinda weird but seriously.. that's what the director is for.. if you as an actor have a vision discuss it with the director, ask for permission to show what you have in mind, if it involves changing other actors' blocking ask them for permission too. Now, in some skills rehearsal is just practice for example, stage combat if you don't know much about it, then you rehearse to perfect a routine. Sometimes in dance you rehearse to get something right together as a group. So rehearsals in different areas can mean different things. It's a good idea to discuss with the director what they want their rehearsals to be about. Do they want collaboration if yes, how? All this work prior to rehearsal will make it beneficial for all.

Musical Theatre Conservatory

2010-03-10T15:30:00.001-08:00

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Tomorrow is a new day. I can't sleep, I'm nervous yet eagerly waiting. For next few weeks I will be in class for something I love, something I am passionate about. Next few weeks are gonna kick my ass and I can't wait. It's the beginning of the Summer Music Theatre Conservatory http://musictheatreconservatory.org . Let's read from the site:

"The Music Theatre Conservatory is an intensive, professional program of classes, rehearsal, and performance experience, offering training in the three disciplines of Music Theater: Acting, Singing, and Dance. The program is an educational/professional development project of Notre Dame de Namur University, offering college credit through the Department of Music and Vocal Arts, and Broadway By the Bay, an all-producing Bay Area professional musical theatre company. The core faculty and visiting master teachers are all established professionals with extensive resumes as performers, directors, and educators."

I remember around March I believe it was I saw the ad in the theatre bay area magazine and I thought man it would be great to do this program, to train for musical theatre. At this point, I'm feeling quiet comfortable with acting in general. I want to branch out try out other aspects of theatre. At this point, stuff like stage combat, miming, physical theatre, kabuki , etc., are adventures I want to pursue. I want to see performance through different aspects. I also apply to the San Francisco Mime Troupe and I consider applying to the ACT summer conservatory.

So I saw the ad in March when we were full swing with nautanki , which by the way I'm very proud of because it was yet another form of theatre, different from a simple play. So I decided I would get vocal lessons to prepare for theaudition. I put an ad on craigslist went through at least 3 dozen replies and finally I picked a coach and I am not disappointed in fact I am very lucky for someone who has tasted the professional world and who know what they are talking about and most of all someone who I can trust. April began lessons and within 3 weeks was the audition, this involved picking two songs... get the sheet music, get the accompaniment, get your audition practice, get your audition outfit, shoes and what not.

Audition day came. We started with the dance audition I was ready in my outfit clearly there are people far more experienced than I am, I somehow get through the routine and then comes the singing part. Change into dress for singing, get your music, sing, perform your monologue and then comes the part that I did not expect to be hard but was infact quiet testing. The interview. The questions they throw at you while you stand their unarmed on stage. How old are you? Will you able to invest time? Why do you want to join this program? Have you studied performing arts? For every single one I have nothing extraordinary to offer. I sum up with saying , I want to learn and train the right way. I want to acquire skills to make myself a better performer. I can sing I know that but I have not had considerable amount of formal training. I need to refine my dance skills, I feel very comfortable with my acting skills, but it is parts that I'm struggling with is what I want to improve and that this the program that will guide me in the right direction. I had overheard the other hopefuls answer to questions with following endings "oh .. so you toured with that?", "...was that a professional production?" I knew I hadn't offered material in my resume that required questions of that caliber. But this was an audition for a training program, they knew that right?

Weeks go by, I am hanging out with a bunch of friends who I know through my computer science classes.... we are chilling with the game called rock band. I ask for the mic since I would like to be the singer. They have never heard me sing before. Friend number 1 is on bass Friend number 2 on drums and I am singing to Roxanne from The Police. To everyone's surprise I have never heard this song before, I butcher it, I don't sing .. I pretty much scream the song till my friends beg me to stop.. it was my attempt to get out any frustrations I had felt as I had not heard back from the conservatory. I heard back from the San Francisco Mime Troupe, I was selected for that one.. I couldn't confirm what if, music theatre conservatory got back to me ? I couldn't say no to that. I would love to be involved with the Mime Troupe and I will some day but for some reason waiting for the music conservatory seemed like an intuitive decision. I answer my friends' request by setting the mic down. My sister calls..she speaks of a certain envelope that has arrived, I ask of its size.. it's big.. means good right? She opens and tells me the good news... I jump in joy I tell my friends that I am in I got accepted... they repeatedly ask me. .. "wait you are going to be training for musical theatre?" After listening to me howl.. they refuse to believe any of this ... they pass it as a joke.. I for one I'm ecstatic beyond belief.

And then this is today 40 mins before midnight, the day before the program begins, I am too excited to sleep. I have arranged everything, leotards and dance shoes and tights and sheet music and I'm ready. I am nervous but I can't wait.. coming this far has meant a lot. I want to make the most of the days ahead. It would be ideal to record each day here.

The raw and the rehearsed

2010-03-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Kinda late to post this and I wish I had written this before the actual performance. Anyhow. So last Friday I performed a piece in SF for a theatre group that auditions people by having them perform infront of a live audience. Yes that's right! I was given a script a few weeks back and told to memorize the lines and interpret it anyway I wish and come to the show and simply perform in front of live audience. I did exactly that, with a few blocking notes so I know where my reader is and I remain in the light.

What surprised me most was my reaction during the phone conversation with a company member on the phone... question posed... "are you up for it"? I said .. why the hell not? From that very moment I was excited about this.. the idea of all the things that could be done, that could be invented, that could go wrong... I was ready for the raw stage experience ... to be vulnerable.. to really tap into your craft.

I walk in the theatre, turns out there are many performances lined up for the night
More actors start to trickle in ... confident people, who upon learning of my purpose at the theatre that night respond "Oh you are the audtioneer... good luck!! you're gonna be great".
I am curious about how they have costumes on and more confident about what they are doing ... I find out that they have been rehearsing for weeks, it's just the first act , my act, that is not rehearsed, because I am auditioning ... of courseeeeeeeee!!! Why else would they be advertising all around town about their $15 show.. if all other acts were not rehearsed. and oh .. I'm up first!! ... Feels great to know that I'm opening with no rehearsal, only my lines and instinct and oh yea.. it's a comedic piece... not my forte but oh well... I cannot refuse that I am more excited than nervous... it's great to feel that I can do this.. how will it turn out to walk in on a stage and not know your every move.

People are getting ready, folding programs, going over their lines, everyone is helping out with getting the place ready, sound checks, tech stuff ......I didn't have my headshot like some other people so we all draw our faces (caricature) on a piece of paper and post it next to the professional headshots that other more responsible actors had produced. What better way to recognize me than by a cartoon version of moi... apparently there was a show happening next door, another theatre company. I have to write about their warm up... all performers are on stage before the show and are warming up with peculiar theatre warm ups that involve walking around the space, yelling and screaming and what not .. you know the good old .. theatre warm ups... but the one that really works for me is ... marching around screaming this

"DAMN SHIT MOTHERFUCKER, DAMN SHIT DAMN (2)...
SOME DAMN BITCH JUST STOLE MY MAN!!!
GOTTA FIND ANOTHER FUCKER
TO MAKE UP FOR THE OTHER FUCKER
DAMN SHIT MOTHERFUCKER DAMN SHIT DAMN"
continuously repeating that while walking in circles with increasing intensity really gets me ready for what's ahead... loved it!!! (piano fight.. don't sue me for revealing your warmup chant.. i love you guys)

Audience start walking in someone directs them to the correct door, I help with handing them a pencil and voting card... oh there is voting too..... The left door leads to the space where I'll be performing.

Show opens, I am relaxed, not nervous, I play with my gutt, it's exhilarating. It's comedy, so keep the pace, keep the flow, take chances, take risks... it lasted not more than 10 minutes but I'm happy I did it. My performance is followed by the rehearsed scenes written by local playwrights. Ranging from dramatically intense to hilarious.. each is very well written and performed. Each scene will be voted by the live audience and they shall pick two best ones to move on to the next round... performed next month perhaps, till they choose a winner, and that will be a play performed in full length.

All in all, this unique audition experience was a chance to reflect on my stage abilities. I have been told they are looking for actors for their upcoming round and will get back in touch with me if they have an opening for "rehearsed" pieces.

Company > http://www.pianofight.com/PianoFight.html
Production > http://www.pianofight.com/Theater/Entries/2008/3/30_ShortLived.html

Believing in your craft

2010-03-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

Monday, March 24, 2008

This came up on the second night of our performance (Sultana Daku) we were praying and expressing our thoughts right before run, when an interesting point was made, people will have have different reactions based on their perceptions to what we offer on stage. We must not make hasty decisions, we must have faith in what we have worked on and believe in our craft. I think this is an important message for a show like ours where there is a certain way of doing things and it should be adhered to if we want to perform the art form the way it is meant to be. There are audiences that we have had and will have (March 29th show) , who are not familiar with true form of nautanki, who will be challenged and will react, but we must stay honest to what we have learned and portray it with artistic audacity. We cannot compromise the art for those who do not know about it. Who knows what they didn't necessarily agree with might cause them to learn more.

Pictures from the first two shows : Click Here

Taking risks and exploring

2010-03-10T15:20:00.001-08:00

Thursday, March 20, 2008

It's on yahoo today, in case you didn't notice (click here). Needless to say that this is a production full of lavish sets, costumes and amazing talent.

But why is this really exciting? Because it screams exploration, it shows artistic risks and melding and mixes brought together by an artist from bollywood which we wouldn't expect. This brings me back to my previous post about our upcoming production of Sultana Daku (only 1 day left... woo hoo) I had mentioned that us Indians do not focus on preservation, we are busy bragging about our culture. I would say that Padmavati proves that there are individuals who can change that, who have the resources, artistic ability and power to change that.
(tried finding a better image, but oh well.. and yes I know! the elephant image is all over the web)

Padmavati is heavily influenced by the music of India, more so than any of Roussel’s works. Where he doesn’t use actual Hindu melodies, he uses Hindu scales extensively; these scales use different melodic intervals than in the West. Notice the “oriental” effect of these scales in the enchantingly ethereal song of the brahmin, describing Padmavati’s beauty

Padmavati marked an abrupt change of Roussel’s style, away from typically French manners and civility and toward classical forms, rhythmic power, powerful emotions, and even occasionally, a very un-Gallic ferocity.
(click to listen). (source: click here)

We have substance in our art forms that must not be lost, Roussel saw it, he captured it and I'm glad to say that an Indian, Sanjay Leela Bhansali brought it to stage. This will show and hopefully cause our talent to take risks and explore, in this manner. Here we see an indian artist showing indian art on a western stage, challenging western audiences to another dimension of art.

We have conformed to adapt our art to the west, we continously struggle to fit in that group, which is also a risk but I think there needs to be a well-formed approach to that. Here with Padmavati we are bringing forth our story, I'm hoping we will see many other stories, that otherwise seem to fade away, from India come to the center stage in the west.

I hope I get to see it, it's gonna take some hoping because looks like it will only be traveling to Italy, Brazil and India after the run in Paris. How can they miss San Francisco... come on people!!!!!

Sultana Daku

2010-03-10T15:16:00.001-08:00

Monday, February 11, 2008

I am currently taking part in a nautanki called Sultana Daku... now hold on a sec... for all Indians reading this... this nautanki is very different from the nautanki portrayed in Bollywood. I have to admit that I went into the auditions with a preconceived notion, thinking ...oh nautanki... funny stuff.. over dramatic / over comedic funny stuff....nope not at all... first off, you need to be able to sing.. and sing like.. up there sing ... like waaaay up there...and there are about 18 ways of singing ...at least in this production..behertabeel, sher, vaarta, qawwali , etc.. each time we have sat down for rehearsal, it has turned out to be more than just learning our parts and knowing what to do on stage.. it has been cultural enlightment. There are nuances and details and stories that are shared by the director who is well versed in nautanki... I was not aware that in my own family people had actually watched nautanki in villages and they had experiences that they reminisced when I talked about how I was in a nautanki... (generic reaction of some relatives in India : "Ok so you are in U.S. and you are performing nautanki, an indian folk art, there??") Being in this production has given me a chance to talk to my family about something new, something that I had no idea was a big part of their growing up, they have been telling me about stuff like.. how no one in the audience would know what nautanki was to be performed till the very last minute.. it was a suspense..and a nautanki would run all night so from 10pm all the way to 6am.. so how does that work? The script is only about 60 pages max.. so what happens is that sometimes the audience really like the way something is sung ... there are many encores.. a song is sung in many ways to please the crowd.. I picture it in my head and it's like..those scenes from Shakespeare in Love where the audience is as involved in the play on stage as the actors .. our nautanki in India was perhaps the same way... We may not have a globe theatre.. but it seems as though we did have the spirit and the enthusiam... there are many events and historical significances of nautanki that we discuss in rehearsal, and I am amazed to know that I didn't learn any of that in my indian history classes in india (1st std - 8th std). I am from a place where nautanki was and probably still is performed in its original form and my credibility of being from there was questioned when I was speechless during discussions... I felt deprived that I didn't know anything about all that ... but I'm glad that I am learning... I ended up asking my aunt in India and she talked about how my grandma had a whole nautanki memorized, somehow it occurs to me that all this should be preserved and kept alive... I hope I can do something about that...

Perspectives
ISo I'm also taking lessons for musical theatre singing and I told the teacher, that I'm in this Indian musical .. it's a nautanki..I told him to come check it out and then quickly I said.. um .. but it's in Hindi..you might not get the thing... we are passing out a synopsis or scene-by-scene summary... but you know it's in Hindi ... so you know... at this point my teacher tells me ... OH so it's like Opera...and I had an epiphany.....he carries on about how not even native italian speakers might understand the opera and what is specifically being said .. but it's about the performance and the singing and the soul of the whole performance... I have to say I was amazed at this interpretation ... it made me think of how... us Indians a lot of times brag about how ... we have so much culture and the west is deprived of a rich heritage like ours... and we brag and brag and brag ... but to no effect or any value ... because I have learned that the west has an enthusiasm and yearning to learn and adapt .. something I think we don't have... our nautanki director shared with us that a student from Berkeley, actually spent years with their family perfecting and learning this art... a foreigner, a westerner.. felt drawn to what we don't even recognize... we brag but in the end.. it's them who preserve and truly cherish...

II
For our rehearsals we were looking for musicians dholak and harmonium players... let me tell you.. for a nautanki you need to be somebody who is versatile as a musician who can read the movements and improvise and hit the beats at the right spot... a good foundation is required.. no questions asked... but there is more than that... you need to be present..so I emailed a few indian music institutions about how we are looking and perhaps you can join us... I received one particular reply that made me ... well let's just say .. think about many things.. It read something like this ... "We are very rigorous and serious in our classical training, please do not send us messages about such things.." Now... my first reaction was to invite them to our rehearsal so they could learn what rigorous and serious really means...my second reaction was... were they confused by "nautanki" did they think we were doing a cheap dance number (as Bollywood has made nautanki out to be) If they really are indian musicians there is no excuse for them to not know what real nautanki is ... I mean these people are claiming to know the music of India .. how can they not know nautanki... I have decided to invite them to rehearsal and then to the show and have them experience the rigorous and serious art that they obviously don't know anything about ...

Spin off!!!!
Ok, so our nautanki production poster had a footer showing the designers of the poster .. so I go to their page and started browsing and under portraitures..(I need a headshot soon :P).. I see none other than my co-blogger's pic !!! what the... life is so weirdly connected.

If you are around in the SF Bay Area, watch us!! tickets and info Pix from rehearsal