Finally made it to West End! In the past 2 weeks I’ve seen Burgerz, The Lehman Trilogy, The Tempest, Six, Hamilton, and Heathers! And before the month is out I’ll be catching Wicked and Moulin Rouge! I feel so incredibly grateful to be able to witness such talent every week across so many stunning stages. It’s been a dream of mine to witness theatre in London since I was a wee tot. The things I’ve seen have stretched across many, many genres and themes. And I could not be happier. Definitely moving back here to start my career after I graduate! Two days ago I performed a scene from Congreve’s Love for Love for THREE actors who did that show professionally 7 years ago in London! One of which was my professor, Jonni, a true godsend. He invited two of his cast members to come watch us for our last run of those scenes. I was terribly nervous because one of them played my role, Valentine! But of course they all loved it, and everyone in the class absolutely slayed and elevated their scenes with new gags! It was a riot; truly one of the best classes I’ve had here.
On a much more serious note, I have been going through an unexpected gender reevaluation since I’ve been here. I was queer and genderfluid when I came to BADA, and intended to pursue a more masculine presentation so that I would get the chance to play bigger male roles. What I was surprised by, is that it actually worked. A little too well. I was quickly type-cast by my peers and professors as a suave, lover-boy character; a ‘player’ if you will. And although it’s been fun and new, its starting to get a little repetitive and concerning. Its causing me to question my own fluidity and how that can be applied to a job field in which the roles are divided between “men” and “women”. My advice for future trans BADA applicants is to be open with your professors right off the bat if you want the chance to play multiples genders. Yesterday we did the ‘auditions’ for the showcase, by which I mean we rotated in groups around the school and did short workshops with all 4 directors. I decided to dress as androgynously as possible for these workshops in hopes that the directors will see me as a versatile asset, and hopefully give me a part that is less cis than the ones I’ve been working with as of late. We’ll be getting the casting next week. I’ll keep you all posted.
*fingers crossed I get Restoration Comedy instead of Shakespeare*
