I'm entering week 3 at the British American Drama Academy and to say that I am overwhelmed is an understatement. I have immersed myself in an intense environment filled with challenges of acting and discovering truth within myself. My voice professor said today, "Don't live behind the mask of your resonance."  I was so moved by her simple statement because it is not only applicable to the voice, but to life in general. What are we all hiding from? What is there to loose? As my heart  pounds violently each day before I get up to do a scene or monologue in class, I believe that I am taking a risk. That step forward or raising hand to go first ignites my new fire to learn more.

My new Anthem!

My New Best Friend and Teacher

The Prologue: A New Introduction

"Thus with imagined wing our swift scene flies in motion of no less clarity than that of thought." This Prologue from Shakespeare's Henry V is one of the first assignments I received in a voice class. As I began attempting to memorize the piece, frustration consumed me.  The grueling 32 lines were laughing at me on the page and teasing my brain. Although some of my other classmates struggled with the text, they had managed to memorize the prologue verbatim. As we sat in class and discussed the text, there were students who enjoyed the text immensely and I thought, "what in the world are they talking about?" I sat perplexed in my room trying to sing the lines and rap them, yet this was by far one of the most difficult texts that I had ever been given. However, my voice professor made a valid point in class when he said, "There are too many people today who don't take thier time. What is the rush?" After reflecting on that comment made by my instructor, I realized that I had been rushing. But for what? Approval. Reassurance. Acceptance. Maybe even praise. Which, are natural human desires. That night after class, I sat up right with the text, carrying the text line by line, practicing the iambic pentameter rhythm. I didn't worry about getting it memorized in an hour, or before any of my classmates, I just took it step by step. I stopped trying to give each line a permanent form of delivery and I actually looked up the words that I did not understand. In due time, I began to relax and do something I had not done in a long time, be kind to myself. When there is love   from within, then it will be emitted from yourself and to everything that you do. It is a simple lesson such as this, that affirms the power of theater not only as a craft, but a vessel for life skills.

Big Ben At Night

My Home for the Next Month!

Oxford at Magdalen College

Me in a London Telephone Booth

Me and a classmate at Buckingham Palace

Beautiful Architecture at Magdelan

Campus of Magdalen College Home of the British American Acadmey Summer 2012

Sojourner is my middle name, so I guess  I was meant to be a traveler. So why not explore the world of theater from its Western roots? In my opinion theater is our storyteller, educator and keeper of history, humanity would not exist without it. The Midsummer in Oxford Program  is a great way to not only to discover how to master the works of Shakespeare, but also the language and colloquialisms of text from other playwrights such as August Wilson, who has always been near and dear to my heart. After having a conversation with a professor pertaining to Wilson's text, I realized the similarities that Wilson had with Shakespeare in terms of  a distinctive rhythm of the language. The actor must allow the language to breathe, and be conscious of its meter. This trip is an opportunity to explore the endless possibilities of theater and the human condition. Every word on a script is there for a reason.

A Midsummer In Oxford

I'm studying at one of the most prestigious Educational Institutions in the world, Oxford University. To be even more specific, I am studying Shakespeare in his own country! The British American Drama Academy(BADA) selects 90 students  every year for the Midsummer in Oxford Program. After being here for a week amongst  phenomenal Professors from Julliard and the Yale School of Drama, the one thing that has resonated with me so far is, "We have little time, we must slow down." Although it may appear to be a contradictory statement, my acting  professor's words  are already embedded in my brain. So, did I come to Oxford to learn how to slow down? Apparently, I did, and I am enjoying every single moment.