The Russian Theatre Experience

This weekend marks the half way point of my adventures in Moscow. I know I shouldn't think about it like this, but I'm already sad. I can't help rehearsing what it will feel like to leave. It's like leaving behind a new friend that you feel like you've known for a long time. It feels like it could be home...but at the same time, I know it's not...so my only option is to not be sad, and soak in all the good stuff...and not let anything petty get in the way of my lust for Moscow. I may as well stay in love while I have the passion and I plan on picking Passion with me and bringing it to my 'for now home' in the States. who knows what will happen after I graduate this year...the excitement/anticipation is no loner scary, it's thrilling. I haven't really talked about what it's like to see wtheatre in Moscow since I've been here...it's much different than what I'm accustomed to. I've seen six shows plus one showcase of the MAXT students (Moscow Art Theatre, same place where I'm taking classes while m here). All of my Moscow Theatre experiences have been in different theatres, and I haven't even visited half of all of the theatres in this city yet. There are dozens of venues here in the city. It fascinates me how many 'art houses' (a name I just made up for theatres, concert halls, galleries, ect). And all of these theatres I have attended thus far have packed houses. On the streets at around 6pm you'll see many people holding bushels of flowers while walking in there amazing, fashionable outfits....because they are going to the theatre and giving flowers to their stars....just like the cartoons...at curtain call people walk up to the stage and hand their favorite actors flowers....and shout Brava! And clap in a rhythm (very different from U.S. clapping) for minutes after the shows. It's an event, and it's every night. And it's wonderful. The audience energy is magnetic and powerful. Every other person has their own personal opera glasses (must get some for myself so I can be like them). And the shows always ends with standing ovations. did I mention the plays are in Russian? You probably already gathered that...and you would think that it it would be hard to understand what's going on..or frustrating...or boring...but it's very much the opposite. Words are not the most important...and as a wanna be actor, that's crucial news to me. We know body language is what makes up most of our communication, so of course that makes sense in thestre as well. The physicality these actors have is incredible, and not human like. I've spoken with a few Russian actors and asked about their training, and the hours and dedication they put in puts my 70 hours a week to shame. They don't have the kind of doubt I have, they may question if they are 'good' like all of us do...but they don't question if this lifestyle is meant for them. It's in their bones. The dedication and committment level is truly admirable. Above all else, They are all so multi talented. They act, sing, dance, play instruments and tumble like acrobats. The things I see them do with their bodies are not so much impossible, but with such force and enegry, all while having the lightness of an angel....it makes me cry just trying to describe what they sweat out on stage for us. I can see them dying on stage for us, with grace and humility. It's not just me being ridiculous, I've seen 7 performances and the all have this in common: it's living, breathing art. Nothing about it is presentational, or polished coldly to perfection. It's raw, honest, authentic...and they are just people. They look 40 feet tall in stage. They look untouchable. But I see them in the cafeteria at school every day. They have rollers in their hair, they poke fun of my bad Russian, they smile at me when I drool all over them. I saw Peer Gynt walk out of the stage door in his jeans and stripped shirt and converse like shoes with his messenger bag, hopping' puddles and dodgin' the rain just like me. He's about 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet! But I had just seen him tear up the stage and roar like a lion, how could that be? Where did he come from? Seregi is his teacher and I'm taking his class right now, I asked him, where and what is that guy? Seregi said he comes from a little village in Russia and has only been acting for 6 years. I about shit myself. You mean he hasn't been singing and dancing out of the womb?! How? What? Can that be? Seregi told us, he was like a diamond, and all he did was cut him. Ever since he told us that, I have been praying to God, please, please let me be a diamond. And when I go to class every day in my head I'm screaming to my teachers CUT ME! Whenever I'm feeling tired, or sore, or crabby, or down on myself, I just think- well cutting isn't exactly going to feel good so just buck the f up and get cut! And all the while, like Vladimir says, (in angry Russian man voice) "SMILE!" Yes Sir; you got it.

Back in the....ahem. Moscow.

I'm back from St. Petersburg! Happy to be back at "home" in Moscow. If I had to choose between the two, Moscow would be my choice hands down. There's a big rivalry between Moscow and St. Pete's. Didn't know that before leaving...wish I knew more before goin, but then again, if I had known, then I wouldn't have gone and I would have missed out on some amazing experiences. Wait til you hear! ....
First off I took my first sleeper train ever...and. Stayed in my first hostel! It was really beautiful for a hostel...and the peeps running it were beyond sweet and accommodating. I was glad to have been there to say I did it...but it was a long couple of days of walking around a strange city with, who I now refer to as my partner in crime, Liz. I love her. I met her in the airport on the way to Moscow and I would love to continue to travel with her. She's fun, smart, independent, a great worker and caring....and I don't now what I would have done without her. We had awesome adventures.
St. Pete's is in Russia, but is 6 hours away by train (things among many I've learned: Russia is huge!). I visited the Hermitage which is where Czars used to live and is now the house of the finest art in the world. It attracts thousands of people at a time....and guess who I ran into?...GUIDO! One of the kids I met on the plane ride in Paris to Moscow. Small world indeed. It was so incredible to have a second encounter with this amazing young boy, or man, i should say. And his mom was with him, and I had the chance to talk with her which made my day...the whole 6 hour sleeper train ride was worth those few minutes. His mom was so sweet...she told me Guido had come home from his plane ride to say he met a famous American actress...ha! How cute is he? She took our picture and we talked for a few, it just filled my heart. I was so happy to see him and tell him how much I love his country. He was proud to show me off to his mom...it was a beautiful, unreal moment actually. Once again another piece of proof: there are no accidents.
Another amazing moment in St. Pete's- Liz and I did a marathon shopping tour, and while in line waiting to try on some super cute Russian clothes, I met the sweetest Russian, St. Petersburg native, girl named Ekatherina (pronounced Kah-tee-ah in English). She was so excited to talk with an American and "practice her English" and she wanted to show us the city. We had almost 6 hours to kill and had no idea what to do in the city so we jumped at the awesome opportunity. She is 17, but has the wisdom of a 50 year old woman. We told her how in love we were with Moscow, Russia, the people, the culture, the history....and she proceeded to bring us to reality and give us the real deal on what it's like thru her eyes. She told us of the real struggles and day to day life events of living in Russia. She reminded us that Russians are sometimes lazy and bored and depressed too...but not her. She has the greatest outlook on life. The 'right' one if you ask me. She said, and I won't quote her because she spoke with such elegance and intelligence and it's not even her language!...she said- I like to be happy and positive, and I don't hang around people who aren't because I want to be around happy, smiling, grateful people. Haha! Smart kid. Ditto Ekaterina. She showed us the most beautiful parts of the city, the Summer Gardens...with the biggest lilac bushes I'd ever seen, fountains....statues...trees so tall and green and people all around, playing reading, walking making out (lots of PDA over here). Ahhhh. So peaceful. We fell in love with the city thru her eyes,..and we so much enjoyed our time with her. We became Facebook friends and took pictures to capture the memory that will soon be elusive. It's so strange to think that this experience with be like a blink of an eye...and at the same time, it will leave such a mark on me, that I will never forget this blink. Ever.
So, I'm back in Moscow, where I love it best. I love the city life...as opposed to St. Pete's somewhat suburb-ish life. Today is Russia Day. Kind of like there independence day, but much much different than our kind of 4th of July celebration. We were told to stay in our dorms today, because there aren't fairs or parades...there are protests and gatherings of the "opposition" as they call it. The people of Russia gather in the Red Square to march and express there feelings of opposition towards their President...and from what a few Russian students told me, a lot of them do not like their Pessident. Like Guido had said to me on the plane, They don't get choices like we do. And although they are now a capitalist society...all is not well in Russia. In Moscow, yes, life is good in the city, because these city people have money....outside of Moscow, people are starving. These past few days have brought reality to he front burner and I'm now being more realistic about the country I'm in love with. My life is wonderful and I must be grateful and I need to ask myself: What can I do? How can I make things better?...for now, I will live up every moment and take advantage of the wonderful life and opportunities and blessings I have. But. I can't help feel a little guilty for being so fortunate.

"now: we have technology, then: they use brain"

The title of today's post is brought to you by my amazing Russian Film History teacher, Aksenova Galina. She looks like and reminds me of my favorite teacher of all time, my third grade teacher- Mrs. Bryant. She wore a long stylish dress and has a short haircut, like the beautiful women of the 1920s. again, like all of my other Russian teachers, she taught her class with such captivation...I mean, I was so tired this morning, I could barley keep my eyes open making the mile trek to school. I was worried about my eyelids drooping...but with her passion and beautiful accent- there was no way i could not be riveted! we recieved a fascinating history lesson. I know next to nothing when it comes to cinema, or analyzing film...in fact, before today, I could care less. I don't know how she did it, but I am now absolutely intrigued with Russian history and their film, which go hand in hand. I will update my Netflix as soon as I get back to the states and I plan on continuing my research on this country. The greatest thing about Russia is how much they preserve and respect their past. They are proud of their struggle....and my God, they have had such hard times. I don't feel compassion for America like I do Russia. Now I understand why they have a not so great view of us. We are free. And we've been free for a very long time. And what so we do with it? We toss it around like it's expected...if you ask me. Maybe I'm blinded by love right now...or maybe this is the beginning of me starting something new...I feel something rising up in me that I haven't felt before. My passion is compounded with more passion. How can is be?! I made a decision today. I don't care what happens to me in my life, I must be apart of art, somehow, someway- now, always, forever. I don't care what it takes, or what I have to do. I always wanted to be an artist, but want and desire are so different. Desire will keep my soul hungry for more everyday...and if you don't want more, you're a dead duck. I say this because I was kind of getting close to not wanting more and it scared me. Thank God I came here. I also saw my most favorite film to date. And it was an animation of dried bugs made in the 19teens by Vladislav Starewicz, remember the grasshopper and the violin cartoon? It's from this guy! Anyway, if anyone wants to talk about Russian Film...let me know, I'm hooked. And I can't wait to find out more. In other news, I had a beer on the street today after acting class, on the way to the Metro to see our second show, The Demon. Yep. That was very rewarding. Best beer and first beer I've had here. The show we saw tonight is indescribable, well, it's possible, but I don't have the words. It was visual art as performance at perfection. I am sure I will never see anything like that again. It was theatre in the round, and as the actors lept onto the stage, the stage began to slowly lower. We watched the show looking down onto the canvas of a stage as they painted and sculpted a story that left me in aw. Russian performers are art gymnasts. They can do it all. Sing, dance, act, paint, play music...I mean, in.cred.i.ble.
Oh ya, last and least importantly, I blew out my hip. I don't care, it's not going to stop me. Ballet should be interesting tomorrow. But no way will I tell Bernard I can't dance. I have a cute ballet outfit planned and I really love wearing my ballet shoes and dancing in them. A bad hip is not going to stop me. It can try, but they are going to have to haul me out. Wish me luck!

Thunderstorms in Moscow...are romantic

I'm not a Pollyanna, I promise. To be clear: I am realistic idealist.

When the thunderstorms rolled in tonight in Moscow, it was like watching a painting in real life. The sky was a beautiful grey blue while it poured down rain over the large, beautiful Moscow architecture. And the lightning was pink. A few of us sat in our window seats in our dorm while it passed over....so peaceful.

Physically, I'm feelin it. My body is tired and my mind is full...but my spirit is so strong. How can it not be? There is fuel all around me all I have to do is walk outside, or look out my window, or go to my new (temporary) school and I'm full of life and desire again. The day after Russian movement, it is only natural to take a Russian ballet class. Yes. I get to study under a Russian trained Ballet Master. His name is Bernard. And I have fallen in love yet again with another teacher. the classroom is made of windows, with a piano and of course a barre wrapped around the room. I wore my new pink ballet tights with pride, while my body cried silently from the soreness of yesterday's class, no way did I let it show. But I can not move without feeling almost every muscle I have. Such a great feeling, but I could sleep for days. No time for sleeping! Must keep working....
Before ballet, we had singing lessons with Marinia: The most antimated woman in Moscow. Her laugh and smile and gragarious expressions captivated me. My song she assigned me: "What I Did For Love" no big deal, only my fav song in musical theatre. !!!!!! I'm going to work so hard so by the end of my time here, I will sing the pants off of it. Wether it's good or not, I don't care. I just want to sing with guts.

Today, in acting class, I was a refrigerator light, tomorrow I am going to be a dirty ashtray. Can't wait!

I'm a Russian Dumpling!

Today was my first day of Russian Movement. Now, I am a very active woman. I workout every day. But if my movement teacher Vladamir Sazhin saw my workout he would laugh at me, because today I got the workout of my life. He taught me a lot about my body today. That I am so much stronger than I thought...and tomorrow I will be even stronger (though barely walking, I'm sure). He told us, our minds tell us we are tired or that we can't do so something....but we can make our minds tell the body to push. Our will is stinger. Our bodies are capable of amazing things. though, I was hurting, I still wanted to push beyond my limits...and Vladamir was not going to take any less so...really I had no choice. Vladamir looks just like his name sounds. A giant, powerful, super fit, Russian man, with the warmest smile and demeanor. We stretched our bodies beyond what we thought was our "safe" level, like grabbing our ankles and putting the both behind our heads ( that is called the Russian Dumpling) ....no way, can't do it. I can do one, and almost the other...but Vladamir did not accept that. He came behind me and took my foot and stuck in behind my head (I DID IT!) and he said so sweetly....smile! That's what his catch phrase is. He'd tell us to jump and linger in the air....calling out commands for an hour and a half...jumping, super stretching, running, just about everything and he would say, smile! And with each minute that went by his "smile" hook became less and less sweet and more and more demanding...so by the end of class "SMILE" would be so gruff and strong, you couldn't help but do it, because he was gonna kick your butt even more if you didn't. :) All the endorphins came rushing threw me, I felt like Iron Man by the end of class! Acting class is equally amazing. More on that tomorrow and I'll tell ya all about how my lightbulb. Yep. I have to be an object and I'm going to be a refrigerator lightbulb. Wish me luck. I was to impress my stupendously charming teacher, Sergei. And no I'm not kissing up. None of my teachers speak English. All of our classes our translated by Tatyana. Hard to get used to listing two voices at first, but today (day 2) much easier, getting used to it very quickly. And it's fun to watch the translation interaction. Russians are hilarious. My history teacher, Anatoly Smeliansky The Great (the great is not his title, I just call him that ) speaks English. And his lectures are unlike any other lectures I've sat in. He doesn't talk about history, he talks about people- like they are his good friends ....like he was there. It's like watching a performance when he teaches us. So personal. So down to Earth. I just want to hug all of them and never let them go. But. Can't. Can't even talk to teachers outside of class. When they enter the class, we stand. Wen they exit, we stand and clap. Not cuz we are told, but because we are in aw. I don't know how I got so lucky to be here. But I'm not asking may questions. I'm just going to shut up and live it up. Cuz it's only for one month.

Last but not least...I saw My first Russian play. And of all things, it was, Much Ado About Nothing. After laying Beatrice in the show last season at The Hilberry, it was a rare treat. And treat is so not the word for it. It was perfection. Beatrice was stunning. She had curly hair too! Her body ( and everyone's body) was I tip top shape. Everyone was so physical. And I bet I know how they got it! Yep. Russian movement will now be my workout of choice. And I will do whatever it takes to be In that kind of shape to be able to do anything and everything. :) The experience at The Pushkin Theatre this evening will inspire me for life. And that was only my first show! So many more to come. I love you, Russian Theatre!

The work begins....

This morning I had my breakfast and watched the birds (instead of tv like at I do at home). The Russian crows are huge! I saw one on a roof picking through the cracks to find some bugs and worms, splashing in the puddles taking a bath...and then another came to join him. I excepted them to have it out because the other was on his turf, but instead I watched the two of them tag team the bugs and worms. One would lift a cable with his beak while the other would dig, and then they would switch. Maybe they were best friends. Or maybe even the birds here are familiar with 'familia.'. I thought to myself. Holy shit! Even the birds are communal! I watched them for at least a half an hour. They worked so well together. A perfect image for me before I head off to my first day of class. We start with theatre history and end it with acting class. Going to see my first play in Russian tonight too! So excited. Last night we had our first pot luck. When they told us we had a pot luck evey Sunday I was pretty pessimistic. I thought- I barely can make a tomato sandwich for myself how can we each cook for 12? Well, day two at the grocery store was a huge success. I feel much more confident with my Russian ( the five words I know) ...and if they hear you trying to speak Russian, their faces light up and they forgive your ignorance and give you warm smiles. I found a website that teaches Russian very slowly but surely. I'm going to keep it up because it's worth making them happy and fitting in. the pot luck was a huge hit! Everyone did a fabulous job and were so creative with their dishes. I brought 2 huge loaves of bread and some raspberry jam. Not creative, but it was pretty amazing. We all agreed it was the best meal we have had since we arrived. Familia! We had a meeting about what to expect in class today and there will be no note taking in acting class. That requires the brain, intellect. And that is far from how they teach. It's psychophysical and it comes from feeling, not thinking. Oh. I. can. not. wait.

On the other side of the world

I'm here! In Moscow!! It's truly unreal. It feels kind of like New York to me because everyone knows just by looking at me that I am definitely not from here. I smile a lot, I say thank you and please as much as possible (in Russian of course) but it doesn't matter, they know I'm not one of them. :) We flew from Detroit to Paris and had a mini layover (there was a piano in the Paris airport, you know, just in case you felt like playin'). The flight from Paris to Moscow will stand out as an all time favorite memory of this trip. We flew with a bunch of kids from the Internatinal Academy in Moscow. They came from all over the world and had more stams on their passports than most peeps get in a lifetime! Of course, I fell in love with them instantly. My seat mates were Guido, Lotte, and Igor. They gave me the real low down on Moscow and their burning question for me was-"who did I vote for?". These adorable 12 year olds who spoke perfect English with their beautiful accents were envious of our choice in choosing our president. They told me they don't get a choice and wish they did...I tried to express that we barely had a choice ourselves, but they corrected my ignorance and insisted we have the better deal. It was fascinating to have such an engaging conversatuon about politics, life, school, business, siblings, etc. with 12 year old Russian children! And on top of it all we played Star Wars with their Legos they brought with them. At the very end of the flight they made me look out the window to watch the landing (I hate to fly and am usually a nervous wreck) but because I was with such pros, they taught me how to enjoy myself during, what I thought was going to be, the scary part. .... After unpackingand getting settled in my beautiful dorm room...I feel right at home. And then, I went grocery shopping. Haha!! That was something else! Watch me, trying to be vegan (ish) at a Russian grocery store. Hilarious. I had a tomato sandwich for lunch. And it was tasty because I was starving! But ya, not easy figuring out what doesn't have meat or cheese... Or milk... Or you know, anything. Really should have learned Russian... But no matter! It's still doable! (meaning: there is a cafeteria in the school, so I'll just eat there). Speaking of! We visited our school today! It's beautiful. I can't wait to start on Monday. Today, we had a mini session about class and how to conduct ourselves and what to expect. They refer to the 'American way' of acting to be more focused on the self rather than the ensemble. Hearing that made my gut hurt. How true and how ugly. I'm so looking forward to getting to know my ensemble or 'familia' as they call it. So naturally, we all went out to the bar to get to know each other more. We all got dressed up in our cute outfits (the bits too, all three if them) and walked in the pouring rain, having a ball. We had a round of our first official Russian vodka shots that tasted like nectar of the Gods and the madness ensued. The good kind of madness. Best part: our bartender's face when I tried to pronounce "I'm a vegetarian." He was a champ though! If I could spell his name I would! Poor guy...he was so not happy with serving 12 Americans, but by the end, we grew on him....I think... There is a lot of convenience in America that I take for granted. I'll spare the deets on it, but it has made a strong impression on me to make some new choices. Though, it is day one. And I am pretty buzzed and happy with vodka in me so everything is sunny right now.