The Rent Welcome Wagon — Page 9

Wow, thanks you VivaBohemia and insomniak for making me feel so welcome. -feels special-

~Chris(tie)

---

rehearsals start next week in san fran!!! with adam anthony rosario and wilson

---

Updated On: 11/23/04 at 03:41 PM

hi guys...

I'll be on for awhile tonight...

there are some good questions from last time...
I'm gonna take a moment to get caught up

fwb

---

Hello again, Fredi. This is an addicting site, I ought to warn you.

question 1
"I'm another Tischie here. What studio were you in at NYU and did you graduate? Were you here when Idina was?"

I finished NYU in 198*** (long before Idina was ever there... probably long before you were born


question 2 -
Posted On: 11/22/04 at 05:05:36 PM
I really look forward to your advice on surviving New York, ( also I wanted to ask if you had anytips for the NYU and Julliard auditions) beacuse lord knows I need it =)! PM me if you'd like or post away when you have time.

take care
Melissa

I will Melissa - there's A LOT to know and I'll take some time composing you a special message...


question #3
many people call rent edgy while the lion king is a moving but mainstream show. your passion for both roles shows us that you can go for both edgy and mainstream, which is cool. so what are some of your favorite movies? would you say that you prefer edgy/independent film over mainstream?

I like GOOD MOVIES - don't care what "category" or "genre" they fit in. I buy everything (over 400 DVD's) and I go to see as much as I can... I LOVE MOVIES - always have and my only criteria is that they are good... I've seen a lot of great films (so MANY favs..!!!)and a lot of crap films and many good ones were indie and so were many bad ones...
BTW Hollywood CAN make a decent flick every-now-and-again - it's not about the size of the budget, baby... ya know?

question #4 -
I saved this one for last because it's kinda important and will take a minute to answer...
"Secondly, in regards to what you said "THAT WHICH IS MEANT FOR YOU IS YOURS!!!" I think that is totally awesome. But how can one know what is meant for them if nothing ever seems to happen? Like many people in these rooms, including me, have these dreams of performing one way or the other, and I'm certain they're all very talented people, but what if nothing happens for them? I don't me to sound all discouraging, but it's just something I tend to think about cuz here I am, 25 years old, and still haven't done much with my life. I can sing (not trying to sound conceited) and I've done plenty of work in HS and in my community, but how does one come about to obtain more than just something small?"

Okay...
This is not meant to sound religious in any way so please don't think of it that way, but....

This is what "FAITH" is all about.

You say you are 25 but YOU have not done much with your life... think carefully about that.

If you truly believe you will make it - YOU WILL MAKE IT!!!

Why? because that belief will translate into ACTION!!!!

It is impossible to tell anyone the whens, wheres and hows... I couldn't even tell myself - I just had to KNOW deep within my soul that I would make it... and my everyday behavior translated into that of a person who believed they'd make it..
I was always (and still am) out there - hitting my auditions, updating my headshots (even now I'm shopping photogs for new pics) and doing the things actors must do to be in the loop and get work. It came together when I got to the place were I stopped worrying about "making it" and concentrated on DOING it!!!

The essence of faith is to live for today and still plan for tomorrow (which, of course, is not guaranteed to any of us)

you go to that audition today whether or not you get the job tomorrow - you go and you do your best - the ultimate goal being to DO YOUR BEST!!! this is how your build those good relationships with casting directors that carry you throughout your career. The is how you play the ENDURANCE game that is being a working actor (or any other professional - especially these days)

life is uncertain (to say the least ) The only thing that carries you through is YOU - your inner fortitude, your sense of self worth, your desire to succeed
and don't get me wrong - I'm not saying any of this is EASY!!! It ain't - not at all.

But - it's the only way through.

So, I hope for you (and all of you) that you will be able to find the strength to make your dreams come true.


looking forward to your responses...

fwb

---

Well I'm happy to see Fredi back! And yes, the right show needs to come along soon.

Charlie
magicpiane@kc.rr.com

Wow, people actually managed to be quiet for a full two hours...

Fredi, what vocal training do you have?

---

the question is..
"Fredi, what vocal training do you have?"

I started singing in church very young and training classically around 12 (had already been playing piano from age 4 - and ballet too)

continued with classical training and choral singing all through high school

2 more years of classical training in college then strictly musical theatre training with the GREATEST VOCAL COACH WHO EVER LIVED - the amazing and talented JOSEPH SCOTT, God rest his soul. He left this earth more than 15 years ago - but he lives in me and all those that I have taught since. What a genius!!!

next question...
"I'm always amazed that actors can do a show eight times a week for months on end. It's probably a question that's asked a lot, but how do you personally deal with that? How does it keep from becoming stale?"

This is the greatest challenge of theatre. First of all, 8 shows is NO JOKE - it's incredibly physically demanding and in the case of RENT - vocally and emotionaly demanding as well.

You must keep your physical disciplines (which vary from person to person)... i.e, I must have 8 hours of sleep - NO DAIRY, watch acidic foods (reflux is a killer)

before every show I do a minimum of 100 situps (good for the diaphram) and 1 cup of coffee --- my warmups may vary depending on the demands of the role, but those two things never change.

After that, it's about telling the story you came to tell. I've been lucky enough to love the stories I've been hired to tell over the years. Like a great anecdote that you want to tell your friends over and over. But that's the job - tell the story. If you can focus on that it can seem fresh everyday.

(Truth is - sometimes it's just about making it through the show - physically that is... especially that 4th or 5th show in row....)

fwb

---

Wow...fan moment but...that's creepy. I'm only 16 but I have basically the same experience so far...I've played piano 11 years, took like four years of ballet when I was younger, and I started classical training/soloing in church when I was 11...

---

Ooh, that just made me think of something else...

When you go to see a show either that you have done, or that you would like to do, do you find yourself evaluating the actors and comparing yourself to them? Do you have any idea of how *not* to do this?

---

That's depressing...but...not...

---

And cuz you were thinking exactly the same thing!

---

and to think NTG, I corrupted you barely 2 years ago...