Whew! Now that is one LONG Vacation!

Thank you for being so patient my TAOLA followers! I took a bit of a stumble in the health department but I am back and ready to go full throttle again!

Great News is that the classes have already started at the Viera Regional Community Center and I have so many students that I may add another class! YIPPEE!

Thanks again for hanging in there and look for more posts to come!

Cutting through the Red Tape...

I have to start off by saying, this week's lesson is a lesson in patience. As we get closer and closer to TAOLA becoming a reality, I have hit a bit of a snag. Looks like a 5-6 week snag, in fact. I won't be able to start teaching classes at the VIERA CC until late August to early September.

Although disappointed, I am not letting this snag detour me from the main goal of getting TAOLA off the ground and having several Campuses will become a reality!

As for the actual "lesson" this week, Patience. In this case, I am using this set-back to finalize and complete the two shows that I am writing for the future students of TAOLA to perform. This set-back is a "gift" to me. Much like in previous lessons, where I have talked about "receiving" gifts as an actor. What happens when you get a "gift" that seems to be a setback? How do you turn that around? Dig deep into your bag of tricks and IMPROVISE! How so?

Example: You are performing in a show and as you are singing and dancing your costume gets caught in some scenery. You are horrified because you know that you need to be across the stage in 4 bars of music. What do you do? In my case, (because the exact thing happened to me), I was able to stay in character and have another actor assist me free from the scenery with a little bit of creative choreography and the audience loved it! The director loved it so much that we kept the "snag" in for the rest of the run of the production. Now this is a specific example but the reason why it worked is because I thought of the "snag" as a gift, instead of an actual "snag"! It's all in your frame of reference and being comfortable with your character and YOU as the character!

So, accept EVERY gift that comes your way and remember, turns those snags into great moments on stage and in your life!

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Excuse me... Don't step on that... It's my LUNG!

I know, I know... I've been delinquent in my weekly postings and lessons. I have been struck with a very persistent case of Bronchitis and it seems to want to stick around longer than I had hoped or even planned. Since my creative juices are clogged up in my sinus cavity, I leave you with this nugget of education:

* Drink plenty of fluids
* Eat your Fruits and Vegetables
* Get plenty of rest
* And remember, your body and voice are your instruments... Keep them taken care of and well tuned!

Follow the TAOLA Blog and be a part of the fun! Comment on posts, lessons, everything! Bookmark us! Do It! You will thank me later for it!

I've got you in my sights!

Where have I been? I've been just so busy getting all the formalities taken care of to get TAOLA off the ground and to start teaching at the Viera Community Center that I haven't kept you guys up to date!

With all the support I have been receiving and the feedback, I have decided to add a class for the younger kids ages 7-12! Thank you all for having TAOLA in "your sights" and following my BLOG! Your support is what will help TAOLA become a success!

Keep checking back here for more information and the announcement of the schedule of classes at the Viera CC.

Special thanks to my wonderful friend Michael for supplying the fantastic picture and the inspiration for today's post.

Unexpected Gift

So I came into work this morning and had a package sitting on my chair with my name on it... VERY mysterious.

I slowly opened the sealed manila envelope and out popped a salmon-colored booklet. Ahhhh... I could recognize this anywhere. The dimensions: 5 1/4 x 7 3/4. It was a script! I fanned the pages and a sense of calm, well-being, and familiarity came over me. Usually when I receive a script I have a little ritual that I follow, but I'm at work and a sense of decorum is in order. Therefore, I can't do my little dance or get me a glass of Cranberry and Sprite Zero with a squeeze of lime and curl up on some comfy surface to dive into a new journey that is a play.

So where did this lovely gift come from? From none other than my esteemed colleague, Bob Larsen from California! Very respected for his talents, tastes, and overall genius! The play: Darwin in Malibu by Crispin Whittell. A million Thanks Bob! I can't wait to enjoy! Although, not really "unexpected" since Bob told me it was coming, it was just unexpected today. But VERY appreciated.

Which comes to my mini-lesson of the day. As Actors, it is possible to give your colleagues and the audience "unexpected gifts" during your performance. I mean, do you really want to give the audience "Julie Andrews" when doing the Sound of Music, or would you rather give them YOU! "Unexpected gifts" can be the best thing for the overall dynamic of the show, but it must be done correctly and TAOLA can help you hone your skills so that you can freely give "unexpected gifts" throughout your performance.

Now if only lunch time would come sooner so that I can start enjoying this script!

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Please? Pretty Please?

I know, I know... I'm using dirty tricks but as I get closer to getting into the Viera Community Center, this is when I call on you to help TAOLA get off the ground! If I have to stoop down low and use pictures of Cute Kittens, I'll do it! HA!

What TAOLA needs from you: If you know any Teen(s) in Grades 7-12 (or entering the 7th grade in the Fall) that would be interested in signing up for Theatre and Theatre Arts classes taught by Lilly, please contact the Viera Community Center at 321.433.4891
They won't have me on the schedule yet, but if you show interest, they should take your information and let you know when you can start signing up! Of course, keep following the TAOLA Blog for more information on registration, class schedules, and more!!!!

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Everybody's Working for the Weekend

So it's Monday and you are already anticipating the weekend? I know how you feel!

Using emotions like Anticipation, Longing, and Yearning, are not always apparent or "visible". These are not emotions that are easily "displayed" especially on the Stage. How does one portray "anticipation" on the stage? Do you go for the obvious "nail-biting" or do you master the emotion with control and your anticipation becomes crystal clear even to the person in the last seat in the very back of the theatre?

TAOLA helps you find your control. Sign up for a class with TAOLA today!

"It's Friday and I'm OVERWHELMED"!

What's going on here? These emotions are piling on top of other emotions! Is it stress? Fatigue? Insanity? A REALLY well written Character perhaps?

Being overwhelmed by emotions and other stresses, while it doesn't feel good at all, is another tool that Actors can pull from. Can a character "overwhelm" you? SURE! You are only Human, right?

Let's see... You have YOU, your character, the Actors you interact with, THEIR characters, along with your Director, then there's "blocking", lighting cues, set design, props, Music if it's a musical (lyrics, choreography, and staying on pitch) and lest we not forget the SCRIPT! That can be its own PERSON! OF COURSE you are overwhelmed!

How do you COPE? (Yes, cope, not deal)... You study your character. You study the script. You become a student of the Human Condition. You master "control". And you get a great therapist! Well, kidding about the therapist!

All of these strengths,qualities, and schools of thought are trained at TAOLA. So if you are feeling "overwhelmed", just think of what TAOLA can do for you!

Save the "Drama" for your "Mama"!

Well, Mother's Day is upon us. Mothers play an amazing role in not only our development but in helping create who we are! That shaping is what provides us with the amazing insight into the Human Condition which is crucial for an Actor to possess. Insight! It's one of the best tools you can have as an Actor and knowing how to use that Insight can give you that connection with your character and your performance that you may have been looking for!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

First Act:

The Stage is set. The Actors have all learned their lines and now they have their final dress rehearsal.

Well, here we are! This is our final dress rehearsal! I'm finalizing the steps to teach Theatre and Theatre Arts at the Viera Community Center and I am sooo excited! We are just baby steps closer to the dream of a not for profit Arts Academy in Brevard County becoming a reality! There is still so much to do but as we get closer to this reality as long as we move forward, we can only succeed!

Thank you to my family and family of friends who have supported this dream!