Why Must I Be Skilled At Everything?

 

I am getting ready for an audition. Have my bag packed with my shoes, my dress, music, headshots, the whole thing. I turn to the mirror and the pit in my stomach appears… time for  hair.

I’m not trying to brag, but I have some strengths! I am a good actor/singer/dancer, I quote Friends better than anyone I know, and I am a damn good dance teacher!

Hair and makeup…. Not on the list of my strengths

As a performer, as a woman, as a human, we are expected to be skilled at so many things. It’s really irritating.

Oh yup- sure Broadway- I can sing, dance and act! Oh yup, of course I can play an instrument… oh wait , you need me to play 3 instruments? NO PROBLEM!  OH! You need me to be able to tumble like an Olympic gymnast, absolutely. Oh CIRCUS SKILLS?!?! Obviously I am able to do all these things. Oh yeah- I can also do a British dialect! But I digress.

I know when I get to the audition, I will see 20 girls who look just like me…. Except their hair looks amazing! I have this friend who always has Movie Star Hair! 

This is the perfect blow out of big loose curls that every 20 something female on TV  and in movies has. As if every female in America wakes up, gives themselves perfect hair, then goes to solve some crimes (I'm looking at YOU CSI). Of course Rory Gilmore has perfect hair as she studies her butt off at Yale... cause she's that kind of girl... very realistic. Let's just say, I know I didn't put that much time and effort into my hair before a long day of classes.... Granted I was in the Drama Department and dancing all day... and I didn't have to worry about running into Logan Huntsberger.... If Logan Huntsberger went to college with me, I would've had better hair.

 Here’s the thing: They have professional stylists to do this for them every day. Stylists who also are standing by to do constant touch ups all damn day. But, I also have friends that can do this for themselves… and I don’t think it’s fair and I’m mad about it.

 There I am, at this audition, with my attempt at curls…. Maybe a twist of the bangs and a hair up half down situation.  But, that’s only if I am feeling fancy. Most of the time its, blow-dry, straighten, good bye!

The list goes on:

YOU MUST BE PERFECT AT THE FOLLOWING THINGS: 

1. Be good at drinking (better hold you liquor and don’t be a bitch about shots thanks)

2. Be good at flirting (god it would be awful to be labeled awkward… o wait…. I am THE MOST AWKWARD)

3. Be good at sex (Study your Cosmo ladies, but don’t talk about it too much, cause then you’re a slut)

4. Be an expert on pop culture (WATCH EVERY TV SHOW)

5. Be an informed citizen (sup CSPAN)

6. Be good at cooking (um…. Well, I’m REALLY good at ordering take out)

Obviously I have enough time to accomplish all this every day…..maybe if I had a Time Turner... (Holla at the HP fans!)

Why is it this way? Seriously? Does everyone feel this way? No matter how many special skills we have at the bottom of that resume, will it ever be enough? Will my hair ever look like a Movie Star?

At this point, I’m just going to do me!  I am comforted by the fact “Hey, they’re probably going to use a wig anyway.” I mean, I’ll keep working and keep practicing the hair thing and who knows? Maybe I’ll become amazing at it?!

Or maybe I’ll just go to Dry Bar….

                                                                                   XOXO Aisling

My List Of Random Thoughts …

---I've been having trouble sleeping

these are my random thoughts while trying to fall asleep...

   *  3 years until my High School Reunion (<--- not a favorite thing)! I’m stressing out about this now…. I have a few more things to accomplish before I can walk back into CHS with the class of 2008. High School people- where’s the after party gonna be?!

·      I was a class officer… DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE TO HELP PLAN?!?!?!

·      On the same topic… Doug better be warned that I plan to make sure he goes to his in 2 years and he must report everything to me so I know what to expect.

·NEW FAVORITE THING! Mindy Kaling might be  my spirit animal… if you haven’t read her book yet, you’re an idiot and should go out and read it right now

·      But then, I just started reading Amy Poehler’s book so now I think she might be my spirit animal…

-something like this perhaps-

·      Can you have more than one spirit animal?

·      I wonder what my Patronus would be…

·      Probably some sort of dog.

·      Or maybe a 3 toed sloth!

·      Sloths are just the happiest animals! Eat and Sleep, repeat! And smiling the whole time.

·   Finally saw “Inside Out”  SO GOOD! (Maybe a Favorite)

·      And the details of the movie are what make it great

·  I wonder which emotion is in charge of my head? Thoughts on this friends?

Train of Thought!

·      Flannel shirts make me feel edgy and cool (Definite Favorite). Or at least help me be better at Lyrcial dances.

·   Can’t wait for my Coffee tomorrow morning

·      That has to be a sign of a serious addiction problem right ?

                                                                             xoxo Aisling

I'm BAAACK! And let's begin with a little Deja Vu

I have decided to blog again! I've been hankering to write so I guess I should give in huh? Also- my friend Lizzy loves when I post and she did say she missed my blog! She did! I'm not making it up! So this post is dedicated to my newly married friend - Lizzy Nichols!

My new stuff isn't ready to post yet but, I actually wanted to re-visit something I wrote 4 years ago! It's crazy to me how strongly I still feel about this topic- and so much has happened to me since I wrote this...

This is a post called "Death to the Zero Sum" I wrote it right before I began by Senior year of college. I remember what event caused this post to be written, and I remember how my Dad explained Zero- Sum theory to me. Kudos Kevin!

I am definitely a completely different person now, and reading this made me smile! Things and people in my life are not all the same but I still feel I have an amazing support system and I like to think I give the same support to my friends. It's nice to have this "Zero Sum" reminder too.

SO here's to me writing/blogging again! My new stuff is on the way! But for now, enjoy this trip down Aisling's memory lane!

Death to the Zero Sum

Being a girl is Musical Theatre basically sucks. It sucks because there are just so many of us who want the same things. And yes, everyone is special and has a unique gift to give, but generally speaking, there are 500 girls out there right now who look and sound just like me.

This can be totally terrifying!!!! Not just professionally but, personally as well. I live with 3 MT girls full time.... and most of my friends are in this business too. How is this possible? Can you really confide in someone and trust them when we are all desperate for the same jobs? Can you truly get total support? Will you ever feel confident that, when something great happens to you, your friends are really happy for you?

From experience, it's frickin hard. I am blessed to have so many incredibly talented people in my life. I am also so blessed to have amazing friends who I feel totally suuported by! ( I got soooo lucky) And I love all them.  I am honestly, 100%, so happy for them with all of their accomplishments. But I'll admit it goes against my instincts to not be competitive. And this is when I'm still in school, and paying my rent isn't on the line!!!! HELP!

I know I'm not the only girl who feels this way so no judging!!!

Here's the key to overcoming this is..... KILL THE ZERO SUM!

zero-sum rule: In game theory and economic theory, a zero-sum game is a mathematical representation of a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other participant(s). If the total gains of the participants are added up, and the total losses are subtracted, they will sum to zero. (wiki definition)

example: if there are 10 apples.... we each have 5 of them..... then I get take one.... that means I have 6 and you now only have 4.... 

So here's what I realized recently, and now has become a daily mantra. "Success is not a zero-sum game!"

If someone is becoming successful that does not take away from you in any way! There is room for everyone on Broadway!

So the next time your BFF gets a job, remember that having triple threat friends only makes you look more triple threat!

And the next time your boy's ex gets a fierce job, remember that it doesn't mean you can't get just as good of a job tomorrow!

This business is tough enough.... let's be there for each other ladies!

xoxo

A

Why Everyone Should Love Valentine's Day!

Why Everyone Should Love Valentine's Day!

I know I know! Valentine's Day is an awkward holiday...it just is.

Let me just start by saying though... I LOVE VALENTINES DAY! Whether I'm single or in a relationship.... I LOVE IT. Come on... it's a holiday with pink, hearts, and chocolate..... and my name is Aisling Halpin. 

For my single friends its a day to be bitter about being single. They either take the depressed route or the "screw you Cupid" route. Needless to say...both negative approached to a day.

My coupled up friends take different routes as well. There are those who put too much pressure on the day being "perfect" and end up not meeting their expectations, or we have the couples that get very mushy gushy about it, or we have the couples that are like "ok yeah let's give gifts and stuff....sure!" It's awkward

Tim and I actually have never made a huge deal about Valentine's Day, probably because for the last two years of our relationship we have been a part on the day hahahah. Three years ago he surprised me by showing up in Syracuse.... which was awesome

But anyway I truly believe everyone should love this day too because I don't believe Valentine's Day should be about your boyfriend or girlfriend. Valentine's Day should be about celebrating everyone who you love in your life. Friends, Family, pets...whatever... they should be your Valentines.

Remember in elementary school when everyone would give Valentine's to everyone in the class? how much fun was that?! Come on, admit it, it was fun back in the day. Yeah, focus on those positive memories!

I am a lucky person because I have so many wonderful people in my life. I have a loving family, amazing besties, a great boy, and I'm currently touring the country with some of the most fun people I have ever met!


Look at your life and all the people who you love and who love you.....


Love Valentine's Day!

Also....meet my Valentine....his name is Ryan Gosling....we will be getting married someday

10 things I am thankful for

Even though it's a bit after Thanksgiving. I would like to make a list of 10 things I am Thankful for.

1. I am thankful for my family. This has been a tough year  for my family and I have realized it has really brought us closer together. Recently I have been overwhelmed with so much love and support from my family.

2.  I am thankful for my best friends. I am so blessed to have incredibly amazing friends who are always there for me. They are smart, beautiful, funny people and I would not be able to function without them.

3. I am thankful for my cast. It is an honor to get to perform onstage with these people. Every show is a wonderful experience and I feel so lucky to get to be a part of this fabulous show.

4. I am thankful for my job. Everyday I wake up on this tour is a new adventure. I am learning so much about myself through this experience. I am becoming a better performer and person.

5. I am thankful for my students, all the kids I have taught over the years in Cortland and Syracuse. You all mean so much to me.  I hope all of you achieve everything you want in life.

6. I am thankful for stuffing. It's almost the perfect food... really

7. I am thankful for sunshine. Isn't it amazing? I feels so good, everything seems prettier in the sunlight. And how amazing is it to think of how sunshine gives so much life to the world.

8. I am thankful for great writers. These amazing people can transport me from my bus to wonderful places like Hogwarts, Rome, Westeros.... the list goes on. I can't even imagine what I would do if books didn't exist.

9. I am thankful for my boy. God knows, why he picked me, but I am so happy with him in my life.

10. I am thankful for my grandfather. My Grandpa was an amazing man. He taught me how to tell a good story, how to give the best hugs, and how to build a model train track. He was one of the smartest men alive and was never afraid to share his opinion. He has given me so much love and support throughout my whole life. One of my last conversations with him was right after I booked A Chorus Line. He had always told me "Now Aisling, I know you love this acting thing, but make sure you have a balance in life, you're so smart you could do so many different things." Well after I told him about this job he said "I am so proud of you, ya know what? I was wrong. I guess you don't need a lot of balance, you were meant to do this with your life." I have never felt so accomplished. I dedicate every A Chorus Line show to him.  Thanks Grandpa. I love and miss you so much.

Life on Tour episode 1

Look how big my boobs are! DD

Me in my costume! Hair not curled yet though!

Baayork and I at the opening party!

Cast photo at opening party !

We started off the tour in Tacoma Washington! It was rainy all week but that was ok cause I spent most of it inside the Pantages Theatre teching the show!

It was a really tough week but we really came together as a company because of it.

Our hotel was so beautiful and fancy (our company manager said to not get used to it hahahahaha) and we had a little party after our first preview.

And now we are off and on the road!

One Singular Senational Week!

Well, I have finished my first week of rehearsals and  it has already been such an amazing experience!

Let me walk you through a typical day!

9:45am: everyone is milling in, starbucks or whatever in hand. We are all chatting, laughing, stretching... and setting up our mats...

10:00am: Here we go... probably one of the most intense work outs ever created. And it goes on for a solid 45 min to an hour. I would estimate around 200 crunches are done...words can not describe how sore my abs and quads were all week.

11am: choreo time! Of course we started with the Opening Jazz combo! Every time I do it, I still get that "wow I'm doing the Chorus Line combo" feeling. It is such an iconic part of musical theatre history!

1:30 pm: lunch... but not for our fierce Cassie! She still has a whole hour dedicated to Music and the Mirror rehearsal...EVERY DAY! She's fierce! like,... REALLY fierce!

2:30 mp: back at it! The first few days were just music in the afternoon, but now that all the music has been learned... it's more choreo! one would think this was a dance show or something?

6:00pm: released for the day... home to ice, tiger balm, food, and passing out!


This has been one of the most exhausting weeks of my life! But I feel so blessed. Not only am I doing this show...and this role.... everyone I am working is incredibly talented and hard working and fun! The atmosphere in the room has always been supportive. And let me tell you, it's not an easy show....not just physically tiring, but mentally as well. And we all have each other's backs.

Baayork Lee is an amazing woman, she has more energy than all of us 20seomethings. She is so passionate about the material (i mean she's been with it for over 30 years) and no one knows it beter than her. She is tough, but not mean. She knows what she wants and she demands 100% always! I respect her so much. Hopefully I remember my numbers though, cause she could beat me up.... she's very strong for such a small woman!

Memorable quotes:
chanting "Cellulite Away"
"Oh my Quads Oh my Quads you guys"
"None Son, my cousin, he doesn't have his papers yet"
"oo, sigh, my other cousins"
"we're going to Tacoma people"

A Chorus Line Tour Dates!

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Here are the dates and cities for the A Chorus Line National Tour! I am honored to be playing the role of Val!

Come see me! it will be fun!

A chorus Line Tour dates/ locations!

Dates                                                City                                                Venue

Oct. 26-27                                    Tacoma  WA                                    Pantages

Oct. 28                                                Portland, OR                               Schnizter

Oct. 30                                                Abbotsford, BC                        Arena

Nov. 3                                                Chico, CA                                    Laxson Auditorium

Nov. 4                                                Arcata, CA                                    Van Duzer

Nov. 5                                                Medford, OR                                    Craterian Theatre

Nov. 8-10                                    Ft. Collins, CO                                    Lincoln Theatre

Nov. 12-13                                    Logan, UT                                    Eccles Center

Nov. 15                                    Queen Creek, AZ                        Queen Creek PAC

Nov. 16-17                                    Riverside, CA                                    Fox PAC

Nov. 19                                    El Paso, TX                                    Plaza Theatre

Nov. 20-21                                    Alto, NM                                    Spencer Theatre

Nov. 23-24                                    Galveston, TX                                    Grand Opera House

Nov. 26                                    Orange, TX                                    Lutcher Theatre

Nov. 30                                    Peoria, IL                                    Peoria Civic Center

Dec. 2                                                Naples, FL                                    Philharmonic Cntr

Dec. 3                                                West Palm, FL                        Kravis Center

Dec. 5                                                Morgantown, WV                        Creative Arts Center

*Dec. 6                                                Asheville, NC                                    Thomas Wolfe PAC

Dec. 7-8                                    Knoxville, TN                                    Tennessee Theatre

Dec. 9                                                Newberry, SC                                    Opera House

Dec. 12                                    Keene, NH                                    Colonial Theatre

Dec. 14-16                                    Schenectady, NY                        Proctors

*Dec. 31                                    Battlecreek, MI

Jan. 4-5                                    Milkwaukee, WI                        Wisconsin Center

Jan. 6                                                Merrillville, IN                        Star Plaza Theatre

Jan. 8-9                                    Utica, NY                                    Stanley Theatre

Jan. 10                                                Ogdensburg, NY                        George Hall Aud

Jan. 11                                                Wilkes Barre, PA                        Kirby Center

Jan. 12                                                Bethlehem, PA                        Zoellner

Jan. 15                                                Bismarck, ND                                    Civic Center Arena

Jan. 16                                                Fargo, ND                                    Fargo Dome

Jan. 17                                                Sioux Falls, SD                        Washington Pavilion

Jan. 18                                                Green Bay, WI                        Weidner Center

Jan. 20                                                Thunder Bay, ON                        Community Aud

Jan. 22                                                Davenport, IA                                    Adler Theater

*Jan. 24                                    Monroe, LA                                    Civic Center

Jan. 25                                                Conway, AR                                    Reynolds Aud

Jan. 26                                                Texarkana, TX                        Perot Theater

Jan. 28                                                Cape Girardeau, MO                        Bedell

Jan, 29                                                Manhattan, KS                        McCain Auditorium

Jan. 30                                                Mason City, IA                        North Iowa Com Aud

Jan. 31                                                Whitewater, WI                        Young Auditorium

Feb. 1                                                Springfield, OH                        Kuss Auditorium

Feb. 2                                                Toledo, OH                                    Valentine Aud

Feb. 5                                                Athens, OH                                    Memorial Aud

Feb. 6                                                Wheeling, WV                        Capitol Music Hall

Feb. 7                                                Williamsport, PA                        Community Arts Cntr

Feb. 8                                                Concord, NH                                    Capitol Theater

Feb. 9                                                Bronx, NY                                    Lehman Center

Feb. 10                                    Springfield, MA                        Symphony Hall

Feb. 11                                    Orono, ME                                    Hutchins Concert Hall

Feb. 12-13                                    New London, CT                        Garde Arts Center

Feb. 15                                    Roanoke, VA                                    Civic Center

Feb 16-17                                    Newport News, VA                        Ferguson Center

Feb. 19                                    Richmond, KY                                    EKU Center

Feb. 21                                    Bowling Green, KY                        Southern Kentucky PAC

Feb. 22-23                                    Paducah, KY                                    Carson Center

Feb. 25                                    Sarasota, FL                                    Van Wezel

Feb. 26-27                                    Clearwater, FL                        Ruth Eckerd Hall

Mar. 1-2                                    Greenvale, NY                                    Tilles Center

Mar. 3                                                West Point, NY                        Eisenhower Hall

Mar. 5                                                New Wilmington, PA                        ORR Auditorium

Mar. 6                                                New Philadelphia, OH            Kent State Auditorium

Mar. 7                                                Portsmouth, OH                        Ven Riffe Auditorium

Mar. 8-9                                    Clinton Township, MI                   Mac Comb Center

*Mar. 11                                    Valdosta, GA                                    Mathis Aud

Mar. 12                                    Lakeland, FL                                    Youkey Theater

Mar. 13                                    Jacksonville, FL                        FCCJ Artist Series

Mar. 14                                    Anniston, AL                                    Knox Concert Series

Mar. 16                                    Key West, FL                                    Tennessee Williams

Mar. 17                                    Cutler Bay, FL                                    Miami Dade Cultural Center

*Mar. 19                                    Ft. Pierce , FL                                    Sunrise Theatre

Mar. 21-23                                    St. Louis, MO                                    BAA