okay... here's a long one

Okay... so it's Wednesday night, the 8th of July.  And we only have 3 1/2 weeks left.  WTF?!?!

I can't believe it's going by so quickly.  I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd give a little update as to what is going on.

The Miracle -- So I might've mentioned that Steve is the most amazing director ever, but if I didn't well... he is!!!  :-)  We blocked the entire show, and then we got our day on the stage and we reblocked the entire show because the form changed once we got in the theatre.  Now we never leave stage.  We have so much fun in rehearsals and it's really going to be a great show.  I love my character, I get to have a fight with my friend Paige and then in the next scene we're totally laughing it up.  It's crazy cool.  For some reason, we've decided it's appropriate to meow at each in rehearsal.  Don't ask me.  It's just happening.  It's going to be an incredible show.  Bronwyn and Sinead are so adorable as the leads of the show.  And Bronwyn kicks ass when it comes to telling the story!!!!!  Love her.  

The Boyfriend -- This the show that I'm just in the ensemble in.  But I'm very happy with just that.  It's loads of fun.  The music is easy.  It takes no brain power to sing, and the choreography is wicked cute.  The song that we've completely finished is "Sur La Plage" (I think that's how you spell it) and I'm right in the front for ALL of the choreography.  So when I bring the DVD back you won't have to search for me.  The two female leads Hayley and Tessa are unreal brilliant in their roles.  Their voices are so beautiful.

Footloose -- So clearly because I am a musical theatre person, and I'm a principle in Footloose I have the most to say about this show.  For starters, we have the most brilliant principles.  Jake - Ren, Natalie - Ariel, Dylan - Shaw, Francesca - Vi, Bronwyn - Rusty, Sinead - Wendy Jo, Samaria - Urleen, and Owen - Willard.  It's going to be such a great show.  Becca's choreography is to die for.  I'm right in the front in the opening and my song has the best choreography in the world.  Oh, my song.... FAIL!  My song has been the most obnoxious thing to me EVER!!!!  It's so mingin high.  It made me cry a few times.  Hahaha!!  But it's all good now because my voice is back and in full swing and I'm ready to show them what I'm made of.  Today we finished blocking Act One (minus mine and Ariel's scene in Somebody's Eyes).  The staging is simple yet clever.  Natalie and I are down to two stage kisses I think.  But did I mention that we ran the first scene with one of our kisses like 6 times???  Hahaha.  It was so funny.  The kiss is a little awkward right now, but just because of how it's written into the script.  We'll figure it out.  The all company rehearsal went brilliantly today.  We have officially learned ALL of the songs that the whole company will sing.  :-)  And tomorrow we dance.  Can't wait.  Now let me talk about Bronwyn for a bit.  Bronwyn in the song "Somebody's Eyes" belts an F.  Straight up!  Not mixing, belts.  Then in Act Two she legit sopranos an G flat.  Oh yes.  Her range is that huge.  Her belt is one of the best I've ever heard.  And you'll all have to watch when I get back.  It's so great.  You'll die.  

That's the show updates.  My musical theatre class is going well.  I monologued my song on Tuesday.  And it went well.  I'm so excited about it.  It's a great piece.  It's "I'll Be Here" from the Wild Party by Andrew Lippa.  It has great lyrics.  And tomorrow I sing.

My acting class is with Steve which is great because I can apply what he says in class to what we do in the play.  Who'd a thunk?

Well got to go.... the internet shuts off in a few.  Night folks!!!  I'll post more later. 

One Week Down... Four to Go

Okay so the first week of The Summer is over.  :-)  It's been so awesome.  And the last two days have just been lots of chill time.  Which is so nice.

Yesterday, we went to Harvard Square and I took MILLIONS of pictures.  Like sooooooo many. 300+ I believe.  And that also includes the crap load of pictures I took at the pool when we got back.  Haha.  Last night, as you know, was July 4th and we had a big field day type thing with some of the kids from the Sphinx program, and then we had a dance which was AMAZING!!!!

And now I'm just sitting here outside the ATC Computer Lab because it's the only place we could get internet on the macbooks.  Natalie and I might run lines again later, but who knows?  Rehearsal at 6:00, then we get to do the whole week all over again.

If you want to see my pictures, they're up on facebook.

-Brent

Um... it's the 3rd day?

So guys, it's the 3rd official day at Walnut Hill.  I've already sat through 3 hours of classes and over 9-10 hours of rehearsal.  It's crazy!!  I'm playing Chuck Cranston in "Footloose" and actually have to go because rehearsal starts in 5.  Bye!!

Brent

First weekend = um.... wow.

So guys. My first from Walnut Hill update. Geez... the longest Sat-Sun combination of my life.

Saturday morning - so I woke up at 5 a.m. to head to the airport. And then we got there and my freaking flight was delayed an hour and twenty minutes. But it was all good. The lady on the plane was crazy mean and wouldn't talk to me. Oh well! Butt head. So I finally got to the Logan Airport and I had to wait FOREVER in baggage claim then I left and went to Walnut Hill. Then I kind of did the awkward, "don't know anybody so I'll just walk around acting like I know what I'm doing. I, of course, do NOT!!" baha. But after I set up everything in my room, which sadly is a single, I heard talking at the entrance to the dorm building so I went outside and met LOTS of people.

Among those people would be: Angie, David, Hayley, Becca, and Sophie.

Angie has the biggest personality, but I love her.

David is Dillon Roseen. (for those of you who know who that is..)

Hayley can belt and is a legit. soprano.

Becca is crazy awesome and just... amazing.

Sophie has the most energy here, I think.

:-)

Basically we did nothing but just hang out and meet people until the orientation which was just talking. Haha. Then I went to bed at 10:45 am.

Sunday - AUDITIONS!!!

So the auditions were TODAY. And we started like prep at 8:45 a.m. Ugh.... The dance was amazing, and not too too difficult. I'm not the worst dancer by far, but I'm not like the best either. We'll see what happens! :-) Haha. My song went well, aside from the minor crack on the A, but oh well. I was the only guy who belted an A. Haha. The dance went well enough in the audition, the choreographer for one of the musicals was smiling at me. And my monologue was good I guess.

Then we were free to do anything. So I went and talked to Brownwyn, my crazy awesome Irish friend, who is BEAUTIFUL. I'll post pictures at some point. Then I went to the field and rolled down a hill, IN THE RAIN. Bahaha!! Hayley's idea NOT mine. Then we decided to watch a movie, but played Bananagrahams instead, then Brownwyn and I went and talked some more and sang around the piano. :-) Hahaha. Now I'm sitting in David's room using his laptop. But I'm gonna go to the common room and figure out what the conversation is about.

-Brent

Sad day!!

So got an update from Walnut Hill today.  We'll no longer be doing the Kander and Ebb favorite Chicago.

We'll be doing The Boyfriend instead.  And also we'll be doing The Miracle instead of Hippolytis.  (I know I spelt that wrong.  Haha.)

Oh well.  They'll still be great shows.

-Brent

The long stretch...

Alrighty guys,

I leave on Saturday.  :-)  YES!!  I'm so thrilled.  As soon as I get to Boston, I'll post the address to where you can send me mail if you'd like.  I'd love to hear from everyone.

-Brent

Walnut Hill Summer Theatre Shows :-)

Alright guys,

I JUST found out, so I thought I'd let you know.

Shows for Summer of 2009

Six Characters in Search of an Author (Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore) is the 

most famous and celebrated play by the Italian writer Luigi Pirandello. The play is a 

satirical tragicomedy. It was first performed in 1921 at the Teatro Valle in Rome with 

shouts from the audience of "Manicomio!" ("Madhouse!").  

 

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been 

written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play 

features one of Shakespeare's most famous and oft-quoted speeches, "All the world's 

a stage," and is the origin of the phrase "too much of a good thing."  

 

 

Euripides' Hippolytus Timberlake Wertenbaker Translation Synopsis: Furious that 

Prince Hippolytus will not worship her, Aphrodite, goddess of love, seeks revenge. 

Infecting Hippolytus’ stepmother, Phaedra, with an overpowering desire for him, 

Aphrodite’s retribution will sweep both prince and queen to a brutal end. 

 

 

 

The House of Bernarda Alba by the Spanish dramatist Federico García Lorca: The 

play explores themes of repression, passion, and conformity, and inspects the effects 

of men upon women. Bernarda's cruel tyranny over her daughters foreshadows the 

stifling nature of Franco's fascist regime, which was to arrive just a few weeks after 

Lorca finished writing his play. 

 

 

 

Chicago is a Kander and Ebb musical set in prohibition era Chicago. The music is by 

John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The story is a 

satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice, and the concept of the 

"celebrity criminal."  

 

 

 

Footloose is a musical based on the 1984 movie of the same name. The music is by 

Tom Snow (among others), the lyrics by Dean Pitchford (with additional lyrics by 

Kenny Loggins), and the book is by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. 

-Brent

So my time to leave is not shorter any more...

So, I finally heard back from Shorter in regards to how much money I received.  They gave me $100 for the 2-week program.  Oh well!!  Just Boston.

:-)

I'll keep you updated as things happen.

-Brent

Things to consider...

Oh lord.  The packing has begun.  Now that I've made the program at Shorter there are numerous things to consider.  Haha!!

It's stressful.

But I leave in 2 weeks from tomorrow, if I go to Shorter so all is well.

Yay!!!

Much love,

Brent

Catching you up on the past few weeks.... haha

Alright guys,

I'm going to do this and hopefully stay on top of it all summer.

So let's start from the beginning.  As most of you know, I was nominated for the Governor's Honors Program for the upcoming summer.  Sadly, March 27th rolled around and my name was NOT on the list of the lucky ones chosen to go.  :-(

That night, Ms. Beth Barron came up to backstage during Whitewater Spectacular and was like, "Okay!  If I have anything to do with it you're not going to stay home this summer."  She proceeded to tell me all about Walnut Hill.  I went home and looked at the site and fell in love with everything I saw.  However, I thought that it would be too late to apply, and after discussing with some teachers we decided to just wait until next summer to apply.

A few weeks later, Ms. Beth contacted me on facebook and said that I needed to go this summer so that way I could put it on my college application.  She called up to Natick, Massachusetts and spoke with someone and they said that it was not too late for me to apply, so I did my best to work quickly and put together my application.

My application consisted of the following:

1) A cover letter requesting a scholarship (since the program is $$$$$ very expensive)

2) The form

3) 2 letters of recommendation (thank you so much Ms. Barbara and Mr. Bob, and all the others who wrote recommendations)

4) A resume

5) A headshot

6) A representation of work (Now, here's the thing, I had no way to make a representation of work quickly, so I sent in the dvd of "Little Women".)

7) $50 application fee

It was so stressful pulling all of that together.

On April May 29, 2009 my mom took my manila folder with all the necessary components to the post office.  It was shipped off, and all I could do was wait.

Wednesday May 6 I get home from school.  I've been grounded from the computer, but I beg my mom to let me check my e-mail.  It's about 4:00 and I open up my e-mail.  Immediately my eyes are drawn to the e-mail that is subjected "Walnut Hill Summer Theatre."  I started screaming, and freaking out, and I told my mom.  She was in the bathroom cleaning on the phone and was so excited.  I called Christian who answered the phone and was like, "I can't talk I'm in Quartet!"  I was babbling, but he got the message and I hung up the phone.  It was the most exciting moment of my life.

Dear Christopher,

Congratulations!!! You are the winner of the 1st Annual Walnut Hill Summer Theater Scholarship. We are excited to have you with us this summer. Attached is a copy of the letter that is being mailed to you along with the enrollment contract. Please let me know if you or your folks have any questions. If you would like you can print off the contract have a parent sign it and fax it back to us also. Hopefully this is great news and you will join us for an exciting and rewarding summer.

All the best,

Mike Bucco

Senior Associate Dean

Admission and Placement

Walnut Hill School

508-650-5020

fax:508-655-3726"

Exciting right?  You have no idea!!  :-)  The rest of my day consisted of calling everyone I could think of to tell them the exciting news.

...

Fast forward to today.  I finally finished the form work I needed to actually attend the program.  Which included shot records and a physical.  Bleh!!  Haha.

...

In the midst of all my Walnut Hill excitement, Shorter College Chorale came and performed at our school on Wednesday, May 14, 2009.  I was awestruck at how amazing they were, and it was such an honor to perform such pieces as "Sing Me to Heaven" and "Lux Aurumque" with them.  

After they left, our Assistant Choral Conductor is talking to me, and tells me about this summer voice program they have.  Well, me being the eager beaver I am decide I'm going to apply.  The program is $1000, but they offer scholarships, but the scholarship cut-off date was the 14th.

I talked to Ms. Barbara and she said, they'll still accept your scholarship application.  So apply!  And that I did.  I went to voice and we recorded two pieces: "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady and "This is the Moment" from Jekyll & Hyde.

My application was sent out Friday May 22.  And I was lucky enough to hear back in one short week, just as I did with Walnut Hill.

The e-mail from Shorter read:

"Abby and Brent Davis-

 

Welcome to Summer Arts Institute! My name is Nickie Nicholson, camp co-director, and I am so happy you’ve decided to spend June 14^th-June 27^th with us. We have a great two weeks planned for you. My FAVORITE event this year, is a performance by 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council National Winner, member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio, and Shorter College graduate; Jamie Barton. She will be performing Saturday evening June 20^th here at Shorter College in the chapel. Parents are more that welcome to attend, free of charge.

 

For those who have applied for scholarships; our scholarship review committee will be in touch with you soon to let you know what you have received. We received many tapes and the talent coming into camp this year is astounding! I am very excited to hear everyone’s recitals performances."

That's the important part anyways.  So needless to say, I've got a long summer ahead of me.  And I'll be blogging at any opportunity I can get!!  Check back whenever you feel like it.

I love you guys and I'm so excited about this amazing summer ahead of me.

-Brent