When did Shakespeare become too old?

I know Uncle Willy has been dead for a very long time, and is literally very old. But, I was criticized twice for deciding to do a Shakespeare monologue. I mean, I love Uncle Willy, and his work is an essential part to any type of theatre work, so why can't I use his material? Now classical monologues include Tennessee Williams and stuff like that, and Shakespeare is too old. I mean, yeah, he is a bit overdone, but it doesn't mean he isn't any good!!

I was very surprised and shocked. But I guess, not because I want to but because I need to in order to further my acting career, I will have to conform to laying of the Bard. I am, however, using him for my interview/audition and my audition for one of the spring main stages (I will go into that in a bit). I am confident in my training in Shakespearean plays, and am going to give it my all. If I do not get cast or called back, I will blame it on this ridiculous new mindset that Shakespeare is dying. I just won't have it. If you disagree with me, please feel free to share your opinions...this is just my blog and my opinions.... so there you go!

Maybe I should open every blog with a debatable topic and do basically what I just did. I, however, will stay away from important debatable crap like politics, religion, and what not...I, instead, will talk about things like Bardy-boy...

Anyway....

Very interesting things are happening.
I will officially have the final script for the play I am in on Monday, and then we open on the 20th of November. So, I have to speed memorize. That should be fun.
I am interviewing/auditioning to be a full theatre major (instead of just pre-theatre) on Saturday.
On Sunday, I will be auditioning for the spring main stage (one of them anyway). Tennessee Williams' Camino Real. There are 39 speaking roles...so we'll see how that goes.
I met with my mentor today about my one act. It was interesting. He told me he has little experience with one-acts to begin with. Then he told me it isn't defined as comedic or dramatic, I should play up one of those elements stronger. Also I shouldn't submit it this time around, especially since they do not give feedback. I was all like (in my head), "Why not just send it for the heck of it anyway...it can't hurt." But then he asked, "How many plays have you written?" I replied, "None, this is my first." "Oh, This is a damn good play to be coming from a first timer." So, I got mixed emotions from him. I will fix a few things, that I have had in mind, and then will close my eyes and ship it out. He basically told me to keep writing, take courses at the school to help expand my knowledge, and I have potential (with different words, this is how I read it).
In acting today we had a guest speaker, he is a director and has a theatre company in Indiana. I have realized (on a sidenote) that Tifany, my director and teacher whom I thought I got along really well with, is kind of inexperienced and thinks her opinions are the shiz. It is kind of bugging me now...but it is a learning experience. This guy was a friend of hers and he said some things that were really helpful, but then said some things that were really bizarre. I am so thankful I had Blair as a teacher early on. She has really been such an impact on my life.
I went to Amanda's dorm again tonight. I was there last night until 1, and until 10 tonight because I had english homework to do. I love hanging out with her. She and I are so alike it's great. It's fun because she plays guitar and so we sit and sing and look up Mamma Mia! songs to play (She is the hard core Meryl fan). She, and this is really exciting, is going to teach me how to play guitar!!!!

I want to go off onto a quick tangent.
She is from Detroit and really has no one here, and honestly neither do I. We started talking about one thing and it led to another, really deep personal conversation. We shared a lot of personal info from our lives, and at one point I turned to her and said, "I'm sorry, I am just throwing all this at you and I really just wanted to change the subject but I went on about this and..." She cut me off and said, "Do you want to know the truth? That's why I'm here." It just made me realize that we are there for each other. And I may not have many other friends. But I now have one true friend here at ASU and it is the beginning of a great friendship. We tell each other everyday how blessed we are that we finally started talking and that we were able to see how great we get along. It is just comforting having someone like that, not to mention the 5 I already have, but to have one right here with me. A true friend. It is really great.

But anyway, I hung out with her this evening.
This is the second night in a row (and the first times ever) that my roommate is not only home while I am still awake, but is also in bed sleeping. She usually is just getting home, is on her computer, or is still out right now. It is strange. I am trying to type quietly but I cannot....

I will write more tomorrow. I am getting sleepy and have an early class tomorrow....

Chao and...
Bon Appetit!
Em