THEATER 101: Theater Terms You Need To Know

Here are fifteen theater terms that can get anyone started in basic theater lingo. The next time you find yourself in the company of theater people, you won't be as 'lost' as before. You can now feel your way through their conversations and eventually pick-up more theater terminology and expand your theater vocabulary along the way. =) (Photo from nyctourist.com)
 

1) AUDITION: the process where the director and his production team ask actors/dancers/performers to show them what they can do.
 

2) BREAK A LEG: a superstitious and widely accepted alternative to "good luck" which is a big no-no in theater; saying "good luck" is considered bad luck.
 

3) CURTAIN CALL: at the end of a performance, the acknowledgment of applause by actors; commonly known as "the bows".
 

4) DIVA: a female star who is so much larger than life that she inspires or commands devotion bordering on fanaticism.
 

5) ENTR'ACTE: the music played at the beginning of the second act of a musical, just before the action resumes.
 

6) INGENUE: a young, pretty, vulnerable female lead or second lead.
 

7) LIBRETTO: the lyrics to a musical; often includes some "connective tissue" that explains what happens between songs.
 

8) MUSICAL: theatrical production that is characteristically sentimental and amusing in nature, with a simple but distinctive plot,and offering music, dancing and dialogue.
 

9) OVERTURE: a song used to open a musical; it almost always consists of a medley of good bits from the other songs in the show.
 

10) PROSCENIUM: a fixed framework in front of the stage within which the curtain rises and falls- the conventional type of "picture-frame" stage.
 

11) RUN THROUGH: a practice of an entire play or act.
 

12) SITZPROBE: a first, rough rehearsal of an opera or musical stage play with singers and musicians, but without acting, scenery or costumes.
 

13) TRIPLE THREAT: someone who can sing, dance, and act.
 

14) UNDERSTUDY: someone who has a small role in the show and can also cover for one or more usually larger roles.
 

15) VAMP: in terms of people, a seductress... in terms of music, a short introductory segment that's often repeated several times before a solo or between verses. - JJV

Photo from a2c2.org

Bolso Babes' Faves

Hola!!! 

This week we just wanted you to get to know us a little bit better. In this photo: Rorie, BFF Lorena, Kit, Karisia and Jenny.

 So here are some of our favorites...Happy weekend!!! :)

XOXO,

Bolso Babes

JENNY

Movies: Silence of the Lambs and Sabrina


TV Shows: CSI and House


Music: Broadway and Show tunes

Books: Silverstein and Sark books


Websites: youtube  and amazon

Photo from www.oldies.com

KARISIA

Movies: Serendipity, A Lot Like Love, Love Actually, Casablanca, Say Anything, An Affair to Remember

TV Shows: Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Brothers and Sisters, Glee, Gossip Girl, CSI (Vegas, NY and Miami), Law and Order, Food Network
 shows

Music: A little bit of everything as long as there are lyrics

Books: Sundays at Tiffany's, Twilight series, Memoirs of a Geisha, P.S. I Love You, The Notebook, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, How to Make an American Quilt, books by Philippa Gregory and Paulo Coelho


Websites: marthastewart , foodnetwork and self

Photo from www.amazon.com

KIT

Movies: You’ve Got Mail, Legends of the Fall, Some Kind of Wonderful, Road Trip


TV Shows: Greek, Modern Family, Brothers and Sisters, Glee, Entourage, Top Chef, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Ellen


Music: Snow Patrol, The Temper Trap


Books: The Chronicles of Narnia; Philip Pullman’s Dark Matters Trilogy: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass; The Harry Potter series (I just love fantasy, can’t you tell?!)


Websites: marthastewart and style

Photo from www.traileraddict.com

RORIE

Movies: Sense and Sensibility, Amelie, Chocolat, Aliens, Dead Poets 
Society, Sliding Doors, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Die Hard, Blade, Underworld, Steel Magnolias, Singles, Princess Bride, Beetlejuice


TV Shows: True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Glee, Supernatural, Brothers and Sisters, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, Fringe, Gossip Girl, Greek, How I Met Your Mother, The Mentalist, Castle, Modern Family, Entourage, CSI, CSI: NY, Nurse Jackie, Life Unexpected, Cougar Town


Music: U2


Books: Fiction (Horror, Mystery, Thriller)


Websites: marthastewart and imdb

Photo from www.wordpress.com

My 10 Commandments for Running

I never thought the day would come when I could honestly say, “I like to run.” Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy working-out, indoors that is...in an air-conditioned gym, über clean yoga studio, or in the comforts of my own room with an exercise video (I was an avid follower of Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo...how very old school of me.) I was in NYC when the idea popped into mind (pictures of Katie Holmes - I love her in spite of some of the “choices” she has made - running the ING New York City Marathon became my inspiration), in a city where women ran in long sleeve tees and cute shorts with music they alone can hear, I so wanted to be one of them!!! So, I headed home after happy hour with BFF Bozy and googled “5k” which led me to the site where it all began...(Photo from indofamily.net)

http://www.c25k.com/

So now, (except when I’m having a really good hair day) I run. Here are my personal rules when heading out that door...

Thou shall remember those three letters: S. P. F. When you run outside, please protect yourself. (I now use Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight lotion with SPF 50+. It's light, non-sticky and the scent reminds me of the beach.)

Thou shall have an ipod that is good to go:

Fully-charged? ✓

Working earphones? ✓ (I’ve tried running with only one working earphone - so not fun!)

Arm band? ✓
Playlist? ✓ ✓ ✓

Here is my current happy summer playlist:

• If I Were a Boy - I ♥ ♥ ♥ Beyonce!!!
• Viva la Vida  - Coldplay (Perfect start to a run)

• Fader - The Temper Trap (BFF and Bolso Babe Kit got me hooked on this song!)

• Human - The Killers (I am still bummed about their canceled concert...Oh well...)

• Heartbeat - Scouting for Girls (I just love when he says “she’s a pain in the ***” hee!hee!)

• Meet Me Halfway - The Black Eyed Peas ROCK!!!

• Down - Jay Sean feat. Lil‘ Wayne (So catchy! Makes you wanna...nod your head?)

• Tik Tok - Kesha (My nephews and nieces singing this is absolutely the cutest thing ever!!!)
• 
If We Ever Meet Again - Timbaland feat. Katy Perry (My current favorite workout song)

• Laura Palmer’s Prom - You Say Party! We Say Die!
 (Perfect mix of indie, rock, dance and punk)
• Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z and Alicia Keys in Game 2 of the World Series - classic!

• Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus (My absolute guilty pleasure)

• Bad Romance - Who doesn’t love Lady Gaga???

• So What - Pink (Girl power at it’s finest)
• 
Forca - Nelly Furtado (This could be our next girls anthem)

• Use Somebody - Pixie Lott (A sweet follow-up to the Kings of Leon hit) 


Thou shall be bug-free. If the thought of dengue isn’t scary enough, think bright pink splotches on your UN-tanned legs - not a pretty sight. (I am now using Human Nature's Citronella Bug Spray which is 100% organic. Please visit http://humanheartnature.com/)

Thou shall minimize the jiggle. You won’t believe how many girls use their “girls” as an excuse not to run. One word - CHAMPION. Trust me, it gets the job done.

Thou shall keep your hair away from your face. Our hands and hair are supposedly the dirtiest parts of our bodies, so please be kind to your face! A cap and ponytail always do the trick. (And girls, leave your shampoo commercial tresses for nights out on the town. If you don’t want to mess up your blowout, stay home. Running with your hair down is just plain weird.)

Thou shall empty your bladder before running. Nothing is as uncomfortably annoying as having to pee when you’re still 2k away from home. These are one of those times when being a girl is truly an inconvenience.

Thou shall know when to slow down. Know the difference between going for the burn (sometimes I find myself repeating “keep going, keep going...” over and over again) and being on the brink of passing out. I figure if I’m huffing and puffing and almost seeing double, it’s time to just walk it off. Remember, even God rested on the 7th day.

Thou shall not make eye contact. There will always be rude people (Team Er?) who can’t seem to mind their own business. Remember this is about you. Running is your alone time. Enjoy the freedom.

Thou shall streeeeeeeeeeetch  after your run and drink lots and lots of agua. I find running to be an instant pick-me-up (Bad mood, be gone!) It may not solve all of life’s worries, but you can find solace in knowing you’re doing your body good.

Thou shall reward yourself. I am a big fan of “gift to self.” It doesn’t have to be the Maldives Giant City I’ve been drooling over for 2 years now, but treat yourself to a little something like a one-hour massage, a small cup of Golden Spoon (can be found in Magallanes and Edsa Shang Mall) pistachio and cake batter, or even that Zara top that finally went on sale.


Unlike Katie, I may never run a marathon, but I am slowly inching my way to 10k with BFF Bru’s (This pic was taken during our 5k buddy run) prodding.


NEWS FLASH: The Eclipse trailer is out - Muchas gracias TSS, BFF and Bolso Babe Rorita - http://www.twilightthemovie.com/) Just like Bella, I believe I can run with vampires. - KAB


Unleashing Creativity through Summer Workshops

Almost ten years ago, I enrolled in a summer workshop. That was the last thing I would've thought of doing then given that I thought I was too old for those things. I really only agreed to do it because of the prodding of my voice coach, Ms. Kitchy Molina (who I fondly refer to as "Mommy Kitchy", my voice coach-mentor-shrink rolled into one!). You see, for as long as I can remember i've always loved to sing... the problem???--- I never liked singing in front of other people! =D

"You need to join a summer singing-acting workshop Jen... then maybe when you sing you won't be looking at the floor anymore!" is what Mommy Kitchy would say back then. So, to try and address this "performance-phobia" I had, that summer I followed her advice and signed up in Trumpets Playshop's advanced musical theatre class under Ms. Sweet Plantado-Tiongson. What I initially thought would be so stressful for the somewhat semi-introvert that I was during those days became one of the most fun-filled and life-changing experiences i've ever had. That summer I found a big part of who I was... that summer helped mold me into who and what I am today... that summer led me to discover one of my true passions in life--- performing on stage! =D

Every summer, the country's top theatre companies conduct summer workshops offering various classes that one can choose from. Listed below are three theatre companies i've had the priviledge of working with throughout my now ten year theatre career. They all offer a great variety of summer workshop classes that will surely make your 2010 summer time well spent so I encourage you all to go for it---"Forget regret,or life is yours to miss... No other path, no other way, no day but today"=D

TRUMPETS PLAYSHOP 

Through the years, Playshop has been known for successfully developing talents of their students using interactive teaching and creative dramatics. Every summer, they add new classes to their already wide-range of classes offered, including more multi-media disciplines in it's roster. Some of the new classes offered this summer include: jazz class, photography for kids, blogging and DJ-ing classes. They've also added four classes for advanced students and experienced actors: acting for film, dancing for musical theatre, master class and acting the song. This summer, classes will be offered at Shangri-la Mall, The Podium, Alabang Town Center and The Fort.

* phone numbers: 636.2842 631.7252 635.4478

* office: Trumpets Musicademy-- 5th level, Shangri-la Plaza Mall

* website: www.trumpetsplayshop.com

REPERTORY PHILIPPINES SUMMER WORKSHOPS 

In April and May, REP, one of the country's premiere theatre companies, conducts various workshops for children and adults. They conduct their workshops daily. Their daily two-hour sessions run for six weeks and culminate in showcases for each class at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt.

* phone numbers: 887.0711 887.0737 887.0742

* office: C2-A Building C, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Pasong Tamo Extension

* email: info@repertory-philippines.com

THE PHILIPPINE OPERA COMPANY SUMMER WORKSHOPS 

For this summer, POC offers voice, piano, guitar, violin lessons, basic theory and "music and movement" for toddlers, children, teens and adults. It also offers what they call "Buddy Lessons" for voice and instruments--- its premise?...two friends who want to study voice or the same instrument can register together. As in previous years, the final recital for their workshops will be held at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Tower.

* phone number: 892.8786 (look for Doris)

* office: 15 Garcia Villa Street, San Lorenzo Village, Makati

* website: www.philippineoperacompany.com

Here's to unleashing your creativity through summer workshops... Happy hunting!!!=D - JJV

Facial Attraction

I love getting facials. I try to book one every month. Not only does it make my skin look and feel better, it's also a great way to de-stress and get some "me" time. While I don't recommend it for people with severe acne and rosacea, I highly suggest others to make it a monthly, I-deserve-to-pamper-myself habit. Here are a few of my favorite skin sanctuaries: (Photo from www.seascaperesort.com)

Dermalogica
Rustan's Makati, 813.3739

For serious deep-cleaning, this is THE place. No matter how splotchy and blah my skin is, I always leave looking fresh and flawless.

The Spa
www.thespa.com.ph

Try their Restorative Water Lily Facial - a super hydrating treatment that gives a radiant, dewy glow.

Shiseido
Greenbelt 5, 729.9853

The Rx Massage Facial is pure bliss. I always doze off because their massage technique is amazing! - ROC