NEW WEBSITE ONLINE

My new look website is now up and running! (Finally!)

Hooray!!

Once I received my new computer I set to work building the new site. It took a number of days to build, tweek and transfer the data to my host server, but it's done now and I'm quite happy with it..

Have a look at it and tell me what you think...

CLICK HERE to visit my new website.

Back to work..

So it was back to work as normal today.

There was a bit of fuss over me from the start, with pictures from the Sydney Morning Herald placed on my desk and everyone wanting to know how I went. (I'm in the middle in pink - just in case you can't work it out!)


So I had to tell them I didn't make it through the audition.

They were all so disappointed for me, which was very sweet of them to care so much. Many of my colleagues are involved in the arts, they understand the ups and downs of the performing arts industry.

I'm feeling much better about it all now though. In the SMH, there was a clear statement about the size of performers which has helped me to understand why I didn't make it through..

Director Simon Phillips watched group after group of dancers, searching for 16 chameleon-like performers to play the Priscilla chorus.

"The demands of this show are particularly idiosyncratic," he said.

"For this piece, the ensemble performers need to be able to play miners in one scene, and a group of Les Girls in another. They need to be able to dance, to act, to sing as well, of course. It's surprisingly difficult mix to access."

The show has only six female roles. But only statuesque girls need apply for the ensemble.

"The women will need to be able to slide into a drag number, and not look like a tiny, tiny person on the end of a row," he said.

Well I'm certainly a tiny girl, even with heels on! At least I can now put my mind at ease..

I haven't heard anything yet about whether Freeda Corsett has got a part in the Chorus. Will keep you posted.

Here is another pic of the audition. I'm not in it, but the fall that poor Anita Curtain took will be imortalized in Australian musical history!

In the meantime, the company I have purchased my computer from has informed me that the costs of the Apple Laptops has been reduced, and some specs changed. This would now entitle me to a partial refund, or I could spend the credit as I wish with them.

Seeing I have already spent the money, I opted to upgrade my computer to a 17" and tapped on some extra goodies so it came out the original purchase price.

The amazing thing the sales rep said in our phone conversation is that the 17" Laptops should be in stock possibly as early as tomorrow, so I could receive my order this week!

Fingers crossed - I wanna play with my new shiny toy! (And now you can take your mind out of the gutter!)

Until next time, take care..

Priscilla Auditions

Well this morning were the open auditions for the Chorus of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" the musical.

Getting up at 7:30am to shower/shave/eat and put on makeup for the 11am start was the first hurdle! That's hard after finishing the Stonewall show in the wee hours of the morning the night before! But I managed to roll out of bed into the shower and commence the usual "prep".

I was happy about the makeup job I did. While getting ready, I was singing my little heart out preparing the song "Last Dance" by Donna Summer for the audition. (We were asked to prepare a disco song to sing - not mime.)

Soon I was packing my bag, printing off my CV (in pink no less!) and then made a last minute decision to change my audition outfit.

Previously, my good friend Cleo Coupe had asked a few times if I was wearing one of my large coloured wigs. When saying no, she mentioned I would look "fine anyway"... Needless to say I took it as a bit of a hint... Considering she has been with the producers all week auditioning for one of the lead roles, I thought I could wear one of the coloured wigs I have to match my new audition outfit - Layered black and pink leotards and leg warmers.

I took along my original outfit and wig - with boy clothes, just in case I needed them.

Then, carrying all my things down the stairs in my apartment building, I stacked it and ended up against the wall on the landing! Fortunately nothing was hurt or broken. I took it as a good sign, the trips and falls have already happened today, so the audition won't have any! (Well that's the idea anyway.)

I popped in the car for the short drive to The Rocks. Of course the sight of a drag queen being driven through the city streets created some interesting traffic situations, but I managed to get to the audition on time and safely.

Once arriving at Bangarra Dance Studios, I was immediately whisked away into a "fake audition" for some TV cameras and photographers. Even though it had already started, I just stepped into the simple dance combo and picked it up in a split second.

After that, I got the chance to register and sit patiently awaiting my call. Journalists, photographers and TV crews however descended upon the Drags for the typical questions and photo shots. So much for the quiet focus I was hoping for before auditioning!

It was fun however to play to the media. Drag stars Verushka Darling, Portia Turbo, Freeda Corsett and myself were playing up big and loud! We had a hoot!

Finally the commercial TV station cameramen arrived, which meant we would now head into the audition. First up was to be the dance audition with Ross Coleman, then if you passed it, the singing audition..

To my surprise, we had the same incredibly simple routine as in the "fake audition". I wondered whether we were being taken seriously at all.. Surely they would be wanting to sort the good dancers from the bad, not choreograph stuff almost anyone could do..

(Previously the organisers had mentioned that, even though inviting professional drag queens to the audition was great for the publicity of the show and the documentary, they were also seriously interested in auditioning professional showgirls. The official words were that it was a "50/50" scenario. So the question still stands, why such a simple dance sequence?)

Anyway, so this dance audition was the easiest thing I've done in heels, ever! A beginners aerobic lesson was harder!

Step Step Step-ball-change, repeat back the other way
Step Turn Step-ball-change, repeat back the other way
Walk around yourself for 4 counts, Walk forward for 4 counts
Prepare Step Turn, repeat back the other way
Shimmy for 8 counts
Walk forward...

After one or two runs, Portia, Freeda and myself were placed in the centre, in front of the panel. All 7 (or 8?) of us then continued to run the routine.

After about 2 more run throughs miming the words to "I love the Nightlife" as well, the audition was over...

Well it was for me anyway...

The rest of the queens left Portia and Freeda to do their singing audition.

Portia was eliminated after that section, but Freeda prevailed and stayed the whole day. Fingers crossed she gets a part in the Chorus. She is very talented and it's no surprise she went far in the audition.

On the other hand, I'm very disappointed though.

I kept thinking - I have a University Degree (Bachelor of Arts) in Dance, how could I fail such a simple dance audition?

Needless to say, I was completely gob-smacked.

I started doing what every person who doesn't make it in an audition does - questions everything!

Was it my makeup? Should I have made it girlier? Should I have worn my original costume, rather than going for the "Flashdance/Audition" look? Would I have faired better as a boy dancer? (Many boy dancers made it through to the singing round.)

Upon reflection though, I shouldn't take it personally. After all, I was an incredibly different body shape and size to the other girls there. The likelihood is that because I'm short and skinny, I probably wouldn't blend in with the cast - which is a reality I'm reminded of every time work is on offer in the venues around town.

Maybe I'm just saying that to make myself feel better, but auditions can be c*nts, and I refuse to let this one make me feel bad...

If nothing else, I got some free publicity on TV, print and radio, and that is always great to have. Not to mention a new set of headshots for my Gallery. Plus now, I could even consider doing a live song or two in shows - I have at least one song now ready to go! "Last Dance" in G major..

With my hopes of performing in Priscilla dashed, I'll have to be content with selling tickets at work for it instead... That's gonna suck..

Oh well.. Back to the normal life again...

Updates..

Ok, so I there are a few things I should update everyone on. I have received a few emails recently via my website asking about how certain things have been going... So here is the catch-up..

• The showgirls auditioning for Priscilla are still in the audition process (It will likely go on for the rest of this week with call-backs etc)
• My new computer has been ordered with a different company and is set to be dispatched from Melbourne on 31/5/06.
• The Rough Trade Hers prop drum is still being fixed, but progress is being made.
• Japanese classes have been going well, thank you! (Arigatoo gozaimasu!)
• I haven't fallen off the wagon yet - no new wigs purchased! (The computer was enough money spent!)

And just quietly, I have decided to audition for Priscilla myself. (I have been debating whether I should over the last few weeks.) The open audition for the chorus is this weekend. Wish me luck!!

Wanted Dead or Alive: Saboteur at Stonewall..

I try to be nice to all people, and considering that philosophy, I don't pipe up about many things - but when something needs to be said, well it needs to be said..

The low-life mole who thought it would be a great idea to destroy my show's props this week should be run out of town. Whether is was meant to "sabo" one of the performers in the show, or even the show in general, you are scum to have done such a thing. If you have a problem with someone, you should say it to their face rather than slip around in the shadows and commit such acts.

Now, just so you know, it was no accident that one of the Rough Trade Hers finale drums were destroyed. It would have taken a HUGE force to break the drum skin.

We have people who are happy to help find out who this scum-bag is. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we find out who committed this act of sabotage, as the area where the costumes and props are stored is only accessed by a select few.

In the meantime, I have taken the drum home to look at making repairs on it. I hope to get it back to being "as good as new" by next week.

As always, the show will go on..

New Friends at The Imperial Hotel

Grease went well last night, we all had a hoot! The audience is responding well to the show and hope they still love it for a lot longer yet!

It was great to meet some new people in the audience, of which I met quite a few last night.

It's bizarre to meet so many people from such different backgrounds, each with very interesting stories to tell... Backpackers, tourists, locals and even a newspaper columnist and an escort! You never know who you might find at the Imperial!

Of course, every one of them was invited to the Stonewall Hotel to watch A Dummer Shade of Blonde and Rough Trade Hers so we can catch up again and chat some more..

Speaking of Stonewall Hotel - This week's Saturday show at Stonewall has been moved a day forward due to a double booking with a cast member, so we will be on stage tonight. It will be interesting to see how the audience reacts to our show, though I think on the most part, Friday and Saturday night crowds are much the same..

On a totally unrelated topic, my Macintosh Computer order that I have requested from a particular company, has caught a snag. As they cannot carry through with the order (reasons far to complicated to get into on here), I'm back to square one to find a seller/reseller.

I have made some enquiries with a few companies, and will now await their response to see who I order with..

Damn it, I want my shiny new laptop and I want it last week! (I'm an impatient queen sometimes...!)

Will keep you posted..

Stay safe! xoxox

Shopping Therapy - An Expensive Flu Cure

Today I have been home from work, sick with the flu. So what else would you do but sit around at home watching TV and surfing the net?!

Well, I found something else to do.. Buy a new computer!!

After a few weeks of researching, "umm-ing" and "ahh-ing", I today purchased a brand new 15" MacBook Pro, upgrading the hard-drive, processor and RAM, then bundled it with the Final Cut Studio programs. This will be one hell of a laptop and will look after my audio/video editing needs, my website and blog!

Mind you, it didn't come cheap, but this computer will be worth it and I'm sure I will be happy with it for a number of years to come.

This new computer was also purchased for its mobility. I'm always moving between locations and find it limiting to do my work at home on my desktop PC. With friends advising me that Mac is the best platform (and most stable) for audio and video editing, I thought I should just bite the bullet and go with an Apple laptop.

Over the next few months keep an eye out for changes on my website, blog and at my shows. I plan to use this new baby of mine and use it well. No doubt it will take a little while though to master the programs, but I will enjoy creating it all myself!

It will take about 2 weeks or so to have my customized laptop created and shipped to me, so will keep you informed when it arrives!

Take care..

Priscilla - The Musical

You must be hiding under a (cock, in a frock on a) rock if you don't already know that the movie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is being made into a musical spectacular.

Talk around town are there are some of our very own singing showgirls, here in Sydney, are auditioning for the lead roles. It will be interesting to see how things pan out after the battles in the auditions..

Now the show is set to open at the Star City Casino's Lyric Theatre on October 7th (Which means I'll be selling just a few tickets to the show! - I better get comps for this one!!!!)

For the benefit of those of you outside Australia (I don't think there is a SINGLE Australian who doesn't know the story!), I'll quickly fill you in. The show will tell the story of two drag-queens and a transexual , who hire a bus to travel to Alice Springs, a resort town in the remote Australian outback, to perform their drag show. Of course the adventure comes with it's highs and lows, just like any good road-trip story!

NOTE: This is an original movie and story - unlike "To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar" which is a Hollywood rip-off of this Australian classic.

Stephan Elliott, who wrote the original screenplay, has teamed up with Allan Scott to write a libretto for the stage show.

Costume designer Lizzy Gardiner, who won an Oscar for doing the original Priscilla costumes, has also joined the show's creative team.

The artistic director of the Melbourne Theatre Company, Simon Phillips, will direct the show, while the Tony Award-winning designer Brian Thomson is expected to create the sets.

With a fantastic production team and such a great story, fingers crossed that it will be a huge success!

Good luck to the showgirls auditioning!

Will keep you all posted on what happens...

Stonewall Hotel Cruise & After Party

What a night!

A range of drag queens, bar staff, managers and Hotel owners made it onto our little ferry for a cruise around Sydney Harbor. And it proved to be a fun night for all!

Meeting Cleo Coupe and Sandy Toggs at the Opera Bar in Circular Quay, we then moved across to the Man-o-war Jetty to depart on the ferry.

It was a "Who's who"crowd, with a bit of a "Who's that?" spin on it too!

Once in the Ferry, we departed from the Opera House and headed towards South Head.

Within no time we were invited downstairs for dinner, which fortunately had a good selection of vegetarian food! (YAYYY!!!) This is the point where I started drinking Red Bulls, and continued doing so through the night. By this stage, even with food in their bellies, some of the people weren't holding their alcohol well, and gossip was being leaked..

I wish I could mention some of the things I heard over the night, but it wouldn't be right to permanently place this info on the net.. Mind you, if you were to ask me... (Wink!)

In any case, I took a few pics while on the boat as well as some short movies with my digital camera. Unfortunately I can't load the movies on here, but the still pics are below. On one of those pics, you can see Cleo and Charisma, fondling our dresser Jason. The proof is there! The Stripper was a fun addition to the night as well - very unexpected!



After the cruise, we all headed to Stonewall Hotel, where Maxi Shield, with guest Rubella, performed a number.


After a late night, and a long day at work, I headed home for some rest before work the next day.

Once home however, I couldn't sleep due to the large amount of Red Bulls I consumed, and was up most the night! Once I did get to sleep, I woke up with what I could only guess is a hangover of sorts! I had to call in sick to work, and spent most the day asleep in bed, or on the couch watching TV...

I must remember, that too many Red Bulls is not a good idea! (Mind you, you would think that when you don't drink tea or coffee, that a large amount of caffeine in your system can't be good!)

Live and learn!