Theatre Awards

Right now, I'm sitting at home watching the Tony Awards - which brings me to point out one benefit of living at home for the time being, which is that I can watch basic cable TV (which my cousin and I chose to live without in our apartment). So it feels kinda appropriate that as I'm watching these theatre awards that I get an email from the producer of the musical that I was in... turns out, I've been nominated for a ACT Aubrey Award in the category of "Minor Supporting Actor"! Which is pretty nifty. Makes me feel like Robin Scherbatzky when she was nominated for a LAMA. ;)

Anyways - ACT (Association of Community Theatres) is a group of 6 San Diego independent theatre companies, and apparently they had a nominations banquet earlier this afternoon for shows that were produced in the 2010-2011 season. I knew that our theatre company had submitted names for nominations, and I figured that the star of the show ("Joseph") would be nominated for Lead Actor (and he was) amongst some of the other super talented cast mates with featured roles. So when I got the email (and when the list was posted on Pickwick Players Facebook group), my first reaction was "jigga-wha?" And then "alright cool."

My part in the show was super minor obviously, but it's nice that the directors (I'm assuming) submitted me. And it's interesting because not all the brothers received a nomination. I remember hearing it discussed that you could only be submitted for one category - i.e. the actor who portrayed both Pharoah and one of the brothers could only be submitted once, which was apparently in the "Major Supporting Actor" category for his Pharaoh role (and he got the deserved nomination). So stoked that the cast/crew got recognized and that I got to be part of it all.

The awards dinner is at the end of July, and it truly is cool just to be nominated. I'll probably go just to see some of the cast again and hang... and have some adult beverages. :D

Oh, and as for the Tony Awards - I have a mancrush on NPH. He's awesome. And I also really want to visit New York and see all these shows! Especially The Book of Mormon.

Moving Day(s)

So the moving has been coming along very slowly this weekend... we have until Wednesday to be out, but I return to work tomorrow. And still have some big items of furniture to move after trying unsuccessfully to sell them all off.

But in hauling the smaller things to my parents house, I've been cleaning out my old room and finding random things. Like old Disneyland maps from 1997, pre-Tomorrowland remodel. Or a pic from when I went on Splash Mountain for the first time and was utterly terrified... guess which one is me.



I found another old pic of me and Janice and her little sister Ruby May, who is not so little anymore, now that she's all married now! I still remember when we interviewed her in kindergarten (and I mean, I was only in like 2nd grade or so) and RM answered that her favorite flower was the "umbrella"... haha.

(Yes, AM - now *that* is what a young version of me looks like.)

I also found my original Game Boy (the fatty one with the gray/green screen) and then the Game Boy Pocket. I found old journals from my high school Bible class, and old papers on The Screwtape Letters, Huck Finn, My Antonia... my old SAT/ACT/ASVAB scores... my first CA ID card (pre-drivers license)... some stuff I still kept, but most of the things I threw out/shredded, as I really didn't need to know how many errors I made (8) on my DMV drivers test that I still passed.

I also found a bunch of Dawson's Creek-related things: cutouts from magazines, transcripts, quotes, the official companion guide from season 1... I was crazy about it back in the day. Anyway, in one of my folders I found that I took the time to type out the following quote and print it out in the Dawson's Creek font. Looking back at it, it sounds very much like something the character Joey Potter would say, and back then I always related to her pessimism.

You know what's great? Not having to fake a good mood. There are very few people in this world you can actually be in a bad mood around. You know how everyone is always saying the goal in life is to find someone who makes you happy? Well, maybe they have it backwards. Maybe the goal is finding someone you can just feel lousy around. 


I think they key is in finding both, but I get what she's saying. I think most of the quotes I had saved came from her... Lines from Dawson the dreamer, not so much. Haha.

Show me your teeth...

So I'm sitting at home in my parents house, recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed yesterday. I'm not quite situated in my new old home yet, but I've got my laptop and need to keep resting, so what better time to update the ol' blog...

Starting with the whole wisdom teeth thing. This has actually gone rather well! Now, I didn't *have* to get them removed, as they weren't causing me pain or discomfort. But my bottom teeth are crooked and I want to get Invisalign braces to straighten them out. My bottom wisdom teeth are impacted and coming in sideways, so those could become a problem over time. My top two came in normally but not quite perfectly either, and one has a cavity on it's side, so the recommendation was to get all four removed prior to getting my braces. I decided it was time to just get it done, though I was hella nervous.

The oral surgeon's office was nice and everyone was cool, the doctor had a pretty awesome demeanor and seemed like one of those guys who'd be fun to hang with in real life. I knew what would happen going into this, that I'd be knocked out as they took out my teeth chunk by chunk rather than pulling them out whole. My biggest worries were in being knocked out, as I've never been under anesthesia before, and then in recovery.

About anesthesia - let's do that again!!! Best experience ever. I freaked out a bit when they told me (right before) that they'd have me under IV anesthesia too (I assumed it was just gonna be laughing gas). But the nurses were nice and funny. They kept me talking and distracted as I lay down, and they started me out with the gas mask. "It'll be like you had a few cocktails, okay?" And awwww yeah it was. Forget getting me drunk again, hook me up with the nitrous oxide. I was surprised with how effective that was. We were laughing about something when the nurse got my arm with the IV anesthesia and I distinctly remember saying "Ow, you tricked me" while still laughing, to which she questioned, "Nuh-uh, how'd I trick you?"... She had me stumped, so I laughed some more and then clarified that she distracted me. Oh, and then she thought the logo on my polo was an "ass", to which the other nurse laughed and correctly noted it was a bulldog. More laughs ensued. I was then asked what kind of music I like... I replied "everything", but when asked about a favorite, I went with Foo Fighters... and then moments later, it started playing! I don't know from where, but I was stoked and thanked them for the awesome tunes. I'm sure I would've started singing along if I'd been alert long enough...

But then I passed out, apparently. Because the next thing I remember was waking up in another room on a recovery bed, and a nurse telling me "you did it!" The rest of the time was woozy, as my dad came in to get instructions on post-op care, and then they wheelchaired me back to the SUV. I passed out on the drive home, and then just rested once home. Got hooked up with Jamba Juice, took my meds, had gauze stuffed in my mouth, but the night went really well. I took the Ibuprofen and antibiotics, but no need for Vicodin at all. Very stoked about how I feel right now - like I totally could be at work even, but I'm glad to have the day off to really rest. Still sticking to smoothies and soft food, and hopefully tomorrow back to working out, though knowing me I may try to do some walking and core work at least this evening.

I still need to do a final write up on my theatre experience, and that'll come later. :)

Live Music Archive

I received the following email today.

Dear Live Music Archive uploaders,

Thanks to your efforts the Live Music Archive is approaching a couple of major milestones. By October 2011 there should be 100,000 shows on the archive from 5,000 bands. There are already over 1.5 million tracks in the LMA.

We'd like to thank you and celebrate these achievements with a bit of swag!

Everyone receiving this email has uploaded at least 10 shows to the LMA, and we'd like to say thanks by sending you an official Internet Archive baseball hat (see the attached photo below) and maybe some other goodies.

If you'd like an Internet Archive hat, rsvp to swag@archive.org with your name and mailing address and we'll send one to you. 




Thanks for your support and your contributions to the Live Music Archive and archive.org.


To which my reaction was, "whoa, I've uploaded 10 different live recordings to the Archive?!?!"

I guess I should rewind a little bit. Back in the days of 2004-2007 (ish), I was going to a lot of local concerts, which introduced me to the taper community. Certain bands and artists gave their explicit permission to have their live concerts recorded (audio) and uploaded to the Live Music Archive so that fans around the world could get to experience shows they wouldn't otherwise be able to attend, or for those fans who were at the concert the ability to relive those good times.

I met a few tapers and became friendly with a few of them - they were known for taping live shows of Jason Mraz and John Mayer, both of whom were taper friendly, and being a fan of both, I wanted in on the action. Which led to me investing in the equipment, wiring myself up before heading to a concert, and stealthily recording these shows. And I say stealthily, because while the artists themselves might be cool with it, the venues and their security wouldn't always be quite so friendly.

I'd recorded a few local musician friends of mine, like Pete Thurston and Saba, but I'd also recorded sets from Switchfoot, John Mayer Trio, Tristan Prettyman, Future of Forestry... but I wouldn't necessarily upload them. The whole process was kinda long, because you'd have to go back and edit the recordings, and I'd get all perfectionist about the sound and not want it out there. So I haven't taped in a long time... I'm not opposed to trying again though, if there's new equipment I can get my hands on that would pair well with my iPhone, for example...

Anyways, I was taken by surprise when I got that email with an offer for a hat... because I don't think I'd uploaded that many shows (and when I search for myself, I only see 4 shows that I officially uploaded)... but it was a neat reminder of fun days in my early 20s.

(Oh - and here's a link to the shows I did upload... http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=taper%3A%22Ryan+Prades%22 )

Opening Weekend!

So after 8 weeks of rehearsals, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" has finally opened!

These last two weeks have been insane... But this last week was a lot better, having gotten more used to the rigors of the schedule. And it all culminated in three great performances with one more to come tomorrow afternoon!

Thursday night we had a "preview" performance. This was our first time performing in front of an audience. In the past, Pickwick's (the theatre company) had invited "camps" to come in... but these aren't Indian Hills-type of camps. I forget their names, but these camps serve as sort of juvenile-detention facilities, and the teens get to spend their night out (for good behavior) by coming to see live theatre. They were a great audience, and we even had a little Q&A session afterwards. A good 90% of them had never seen a play or musical before, and they were into it, so it was a cool outreach.

Friday night was the official opening! I wasn't nearly as nervous for this, compared to the night before. I think what also helped was when we got our director's notes after Thursday, I got great encouragement from the director for always being "on" and being where I need to be and doing what I needed to be doing... being new to the company and theatre in general, I think I just needed to hear that feedback. So going into Friday, I was cool as a cucumber. My mom and dad were there for the big night too. They initially told me they could only come to the Sunday matinee due to work issues, but then on Thursday night, my mom messaged me to say she decided to work late the last two nights to finish all her work so they could make the premiere. As much as I'm going to hate living back home again, my parents are awesome. (Oh! And they came out to support me and my cousin at the finish line at the La Jolla Half Marathon two Sundays ago! Again... awesome.) After the show, everyone hung out in the theatre as there was champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries going around.

Saturday was another good day in general... slept in, did laundry, worked out, met up with Chris and Jordan at Artwalk in Little Italy (and bumped into my old roomie and friend Ben), had some pre-show food and libations at El Camino, then rushed my tail back to the theatre (I was 15 minutes late... hate when I do that)... then it was on for another performance, and with friends in the audience too. Ashley, Colleen and Christian came out and I spotted them in the front row, but I tried not to look.

Sidenote time: This is a small theatre, so if you're in the front row, you are like THERE, in the desert with us almost... anyways, I spotted my mom and dad in the front row too the night before (dad wearing his bright red sweater), but I tried not to look at them too. Anyway, when I came into the dressing room on Saturday, two of the guys were all like "hey, were those your parents sitting right in front by the keyboard? They were awesome! They were so into it, and smiling, enjoying the show, leaning into it and rocking out! We would try to perform out TO them!" Haha, maybe I should've been looking in their direction more.

Anyways, I'm sooooo appreciative of my parents and for those friends who came out these past two nights. I didn't think it would be a big deal, but knowing that they're out there just gives you a bigger push when performing, and it's great to have that support, that they would take the time out of their weekend and spend the money to come see the show.

I would take a picture of the cookie (shaped and frosted like a technicolor dreamcoat) that Ashley, Colleen and Christian (and Lea Michele, haha) sent to the dressing room, but I ate it as soon as I got home - and it was good, too.

But here are some pics from the show! :)

And a one, a two, a one two three four...

So.

This whole musical/theatre thing... it sure is keeping me busy and on my toes (literally). This was our first five day rehearsal week, where I'd have rehearsals after work, plus today (Saturday) was a 9am-3pm rehearsal day. I knew going into this that it would be hectic, and it's still incredibly fun and gratifying to be doing this stuff again. But it's also reminded me of a key aspects of myself... the big one being that I cherish my alone/down time.

Prior to this, I could go home after work and relax... and with my roommate/cousin out most of the time and me having the apartment to myself, I could have peace and get refreshed... and though I like going out and doing things (and had tentative plans for tonight which thankfully didn't happen), as an extreme introvert (as I learned from the Myers-Briggs, I am practically 100% introvert), I need that alone time to recharge my batteries. The whole week has been work (in which I get to workout at least), then rehearsals, then sleep, then repeat the next day... So I'm glad that the rest of my Saturday has been me at home, catching up on my "DVR", watching some movies, munching on Easter chocolates that I probably shouldn't have bought and prepping my meals for Sunday/Monday. That "me" time is appreciated, as the week flew by... and it would not go well if I started another full week without some complete R&R. (And I don't mean Ross and Rachel. Though Friends on DVD does sound good right about now...)

Anyways. Rehearsals have been going well. It was a dance week, and while I think I'm looser after I get some alcohol in my system, I didn't think it wise to hit up happy hour before going to rehearsals. So there were some bits of choreography that I picked up well, and others that made me feel like I had two left feet and I had to think about the steps a lot... and me getting stuck in my head overthinking things (pulling a Ted?) is what always gives me trouble, so I've just gotta get loose and get a little funky and go with the cheesiness. And keep on practicing my shoulder rolls and shimmy+box step...

Also, we got an email from the producer saying that we need to give a little bio about ourselves! You know in those theatre programs, how the cast has a little blurb about their experience and background... well now I get to write one about me, in 100 words or less. Since this is my first show, maybe I'll have to pad it with shoutouts. Haha.

The Audition, Part 2

As I sit here listening to the Next to Normal soundtrack, I realize I never did post a follow-up to the audition story... so to continue chronicling this journey of mine, here's how the second day of auditioning went.

I'll admit it - the second day was more nerve-wracking. I knew this was the day where they'd be testing your ability to pick up basic choreography and learn music. Having done mini-productions back in junior high school and having also been in an award-winning guys ensemble (haha, ok - so this was pre-puberty and in a competition of small Christian schools in the state), I knew somewhere deep down buried inside was the capability to "bring it". 

And then I walked inside and saw a girl in dancer's spandex and bending/contorting her body in ways that did not look comfortable to me at all... and that made me nervous. But all the kids/teens/adults around seemed fine. And I'd come to see we were definitely not going to be tested on our flexibility. 

Phase 1 of the night though was to pick up choreography. I've taken a few dance classes of the hip-hop variety and ballroom, and I'll say I'm in the DBNA-range when it comes to my capabilities in this arena, with the potential to be better after some liquid courage. But not too much - don't want to be sloppy! The steps we learned weren't too bad. The girls got it down rather easily, and I didn't feel so bad lumped in with all the guys. And luckily we didn't have to perform a dance solo! That would've been mortifying.

Phases 2 and 3 were learning songs from the show. Some people were obviously familiar with the music already. I mean, afterall it's Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice... serious theatre people tend to be familiar with their work. I, however, had no idea what was going on. I haven't held sheet music since 8th grade! So having to follow along with those pages took me back... phase 2 was seeing if we could learn to harmonize. Not bad, could do that before. Phase 3 was to learn a new song and sing it back solo, and to act it out. We had time to practice outside, so us guys went to practice. It was at this point that someone asked what high school I went to (Asians look young?) and if I played football (I guess I fill out my t-shirts better these days?)... anyways, when it came time to sing the solo, I didn't know that normally the song had a certain style to it... I just sang it straight/simple. I knew I could try to mimic what some of the other guys did, but then again, I wasn't trying to win a specific role. I just wanted to enjoy the experience and see how far I'd get in the process. 

And after that, night two was over and we were told we'd hear results the next day. And the next evening, I found out that I was cast as one of the brothers. It's a small part, but I do have a solo line to sing, and the brothers sing as a group quite a bit, so I still have a lot to learn! So far, it's been great. We've had two weeks of rehearsals now, and it's been exciting to be back in the thick of things. More thoughts on the whole process as the rehearsals progress!