G.Perrotta

A playwright attempting to blog

[graceperrotta]

Pleased with Procrastination

I’m very pleased with the way I procrastinate. 

Yes, a very odd sentence, but it’s true. I’m pretty happy with the way I procrastinate. 

Here’s why:

Most people play video games or spend countless hours refreshing Facebook every 10 minutes, but I literally apply to scholarships, find internships, and ... write this blog.

I feel like it could be a lot worse. Of course, I could be working on my school work. However, my mind gets swept away and I find myself staring at the Show Writer Internship for Disney (actual dream job), wishing that I could take a semester off. 

I feel like I tend to participate in my procrastination so willingly because it all has to do with my future. I want to get internships at places like Disney, Second City, and other great companies. It excites me looking at the possibilities. I dream of the day where I can update my LinkedIn to say “Intern at (insert dream places of occupation).”  But I realize I need to be patient and enjoy all the amazing things in my life now. 

I can’t be so focused on the future. I do think having dreams and goals are important, but I need to close my many tabs of applications and do my math homework. Hard work will get me those jobs. Hard work will help me achieve my goals! And I intend to do just that... work hard. 

As for my procrastination, I’ll probably keep allowing myself to apply to the scholarships, but I won’t be so extremely fixated on the future. I need to focus on now, but dreaming is something I’ll never stop doing.

[graceperrotta]

Yes and I Love Improv

I used to hate improv.

It was awkward. Anticipating your eventual forced participation was pure torture. I still loved watching it. Something about the spontaneity of it all intrigued me. Quick wit is key. The ability to give and take is essential. I respect people who can perform it well. 

I finally started to get more serious about the art of improv in college. I thought that maybe people took it more seriously there. They do.My first experience with college improv was great. Of course, I was too nervous to say anything, but that soon changed. 

I started going to weekly improv workshops and fell in love. I had so much fun. I was so longer standing anxiously awaiting my doom, I was eager to jump in. I loved the fast thinking and pure teamwork of the art form. 

I auditioned for my school’s improv troupe. Laughter surrounds me as I nervously wait for my number to be called. I wore my Second City shirt. I shirt I got after a show I saw in Chicago. I hoped it would bring me luck. My number was called and I auditioned. (I won’t go into major detail because I want to keep these short).

The next day, I was at my school’s reservation for the Freshman Leadership Institute. I didn't hear anything back so I assumed it was a no go. However, in the middle of the day, I checked my phone and there was a voice mail from an unknown number. I listened and I got a call back for level 2! 

I’ll just tell you now, I didn't make it in. But, I’m not mad or bitter. I’m very thankful, in a way. After I auditioned, the leader of level 1 emailed me and told me that I did great and that I should not give it up. I really appreciated her words and I assured her that I will keep going! I’m not known to give up easily.

I kept going to level 1 workshops. I know I wasn't ready for level 2 because there was so much I had to learn. Everything happens for a reason. I was better suited to begin my improv journey at the very beginning. I had so much fun just soaking the art of improv in.

I loved it so much, I signed up for an intensive at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. My teacher was named Lydia and she was perfect. The positivity and high energy approach she had made me feel comfortable and happy to be there. 

Improv is great. You basically sit and laugh or stand and make people laugh. I really want to continue getting involved in improv. Hopefully, I’ll make level 2 next year and get to laugh some more!

[graceperrotta]

A Happy Moment

“Picture a happy moment in your life.” 

My mind shuffled through my memories like a swipe on an iPhone. 

“Visualize the moment.” my acting teacher continued.

Of course, my initial thought was my Off-Broadway debut. I tried to picture the velvet red seats and the bodies that filled them. I tried to remember wiping the sweat off my hands on my maroon skirt as I nervously awaited for my play. I tried to focus and put myself back into the Cherry Lane, however, my mind would wander. 

Why couldn't I focus? My Off Broadway debut is one of the proudest moments of my life. Watching my play, hearing the audience laugh, was an out of body experience. Yet, my brain had something else in mind.

I started picturing my high school friends and I driving to the beach on a cloudy day. It was nearing the end of senior year and we all wanted to go just sit and enjoy each others company. I remember the tingle of the refreshing ocean breeze on my skin. It was just before evening, the sun was hiding behind the white puffs of clouds, barely peaking through. The day seemed to have a nice, tranquil feel. Like a filter of calmness. The sand on my feet felt cool and damp, as we walked to our spot behind the rocks. 

I remember feeling genuine love for my group of friends. We all felt it at that moment. I remember the laughter and smiles we all had. We spoke of how lucky we all were to have such a close friendship. We sat at our spot and reminisced about the years of memories we made together as dusk turned to night. 

That was a happy moment in my life. The pure happiness I shared with these girls will never be forgotten. I truly enjoyed all of our time spent together and appreciated each one of them. These people will fill my childhood memories and I’m so lucky to have made such wonderful ones. 

Although some of our friendships may not be in the state we wish, I will treasure every good moment I had with them. Although some people changed or made some mistakes, I won’t let that affect the good memories. I loved my friends. I will love every memory. I will miss the good times. 

[graceperrotta]

Hello!

Blogging always has intrigued me. I always pushed it off, saying to myself, “I’ll start on my __th birthday” or “I’ll totally start a blog on New Year’s Day!” As if I needed a special occasion to begin my blogging career. Well, what makes today special? Nothing. (Well, it is Virgina Woolf’s birthday, but still.) Nothing! 

Who knows what January 25th may mean to other people? To Virgina Woolf it’s a pretty important day. January 25th may be the day your dentist finished her schooling. January 25th could be the day your grandpa quit smoking. January 25th could be the day your teacher beat breast cancer.

Who knows what January 25th means in history? The internet does. 

On January 25th, 1787 small farmers in Springfield, Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, revolted against tax laws. Federal troops broke up the protesters of what is known as Shay’s Rebellion. x

On January 25th, 1915 Alexander Graham Bell in New York and Thomas Watson in San Francisco make a record telephone transmission. x

On January 25th, 1959 American Airlines began its first coast-to-coast flight service on a Boeing 707. x

Who knows what January 25th might mean to me in the future? January 25th may be my wedding anniversary or my child’s birthday. January 25th may be the day I land my dream job, or a play of mine opens On Broadway. 

If you want to do something, you can’t wait for the perfect moment. That moment may never come. Take initiative. What will January 25th, 2016 be for you? For me, it marks my first post. Who knows, maybe I’ll be celebrating this post annually.