First Day of Autumn: September 21, 2015. It is starting to get chilly and I began wearing thicker sweaters to class.

1. New Juilliard Ensemble
Last Monday, September 21 we got a chance to observe founding director and conductor Joel Sachs in rehearsals with the New Juilliard Ensemble. The rehearsals was for a performance that they gave last Saturday (September 26) which we also got free admission for.

2. "Kailan"
For Kate Wilson's Voice class we were assigned to bring our "Anthem Song." I picked "Kailan" by The Eraserheads. This made me nervous as I was aware that I was bringing in a song that was in a foreign language and would risk its not being "understood."  Also, I love this particular song for personal reasons, and to reveal myself by sharing a song that I love which meant so many things to me at the same time was quite a step.
It was interesting to observe how my colleagues responded to the song even though they could not understand the words. Some were truly surprised that such music existed in mainstream Filipino culture. They seemed to enjoy the twist in the end, though.
I surprised myself, too. Despite the uncertainty and hesitation that I had with me prior to playing the song, there was no question on how I truly still enjoyed listening to it even though I was the only person in the room who understood the words. And I love the beautiful people who allowed me to indulge.

3. Metropolitan Museum of Art
On my free day this week I decided to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (E 82nd Street, Fifth Avenue) for the first time. It's huge! I was there between 3:00 - 5:30PM this Sunday.

4. Random: Morton Williams Supermarket
While I was walking to St. Malachy's at 49th street last Saturday, I came across this Supermarket called Morton Williams (59th Street, 9th Avenue) which was open for 24 hours. I bought a set of 12 cupcakes for $3.99!

We are on to our third week and this is the week that a lot of people have made us particularly aware of. It is said that the third week is the week when the intensive schedule begins to creep into the stamina of the first years. Once that week is done, first years would normally regain a newfound strength and finally get into the swing of things.

We are going to take this week one step at a time.
We'll ​see you on the other side :)

All Drama Division classes begin at 9:00AM Monday through Friday. The classes end between 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Rehearsals begin between 6:00 PM and 7:30PM and end between 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM. We get Wednesday nights off. Saturday rehearsals are from 1:00 - 6:00 PM and then we get the whole Sunday off.
Classes range from Movement, Voice, Speech, Theater History, Vibrant Traditions in American Theater, Point-of-View, Ballroom Dancing, Play, Improv and Music Studies. If you want to check out the full curriculum click here.

1. Drama Division Photoshoot
Each year the Drama Division schedules a day for all its students to get head shots to be displayed at the lobby of the Stephanie P. Mclelland Drama Theater. This year it was scheduled last Tuesday, September 15. Each student gets 3 minutes to be photographed by Gregory Costanzo. After an entire group (batch) is done they get to have a group shot with Jim Houghton (Director of the Drama Division).