Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / coaching / Starting In

Starting In

August 11, 2022 at 8:57 am by Claudia

An August morning, with the changeover into fall on the horizon. Brown grass from the heat wave, struggling coneflowers. The phlox and brown-eyed susans are doing just fine, as is the Queen Anne’s Lace sprinkled around the property.

And the limelight hydrangeas are pretty glorious this year.

I’m also changing over. Next week, I start coaching Jane Eyre; most of it will be via Zoom – at least at this early stage. I’ll also be doing some zoom sessions with Jim and another actor from A Man of No Importance. Suddenly, I’m getting emails from stage managers and artistic directors about rehearsal schedules and meetings. This will only last a couple of months, but as usual, I feel the no-yes of working. My routine is about to change and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. But I’ll be working with actors and helping them – which I like. Always the no-yes.

More prep today. More watering outside because it will be 88 degrees today. Then, the temperatures will drop a bit on Friday. Yesterday morning was beautiful. There was a breeze, no real humidity (it came later in the day) and sunshine. I did some weeding and then I spent some time on the porch.

I’m always nervous before I start a show. Even though I’ve been doing this for over 35 years, it doesn’t matter. Am I prepared enough? Will I be able to communicate with the actors? Will I be of service? Both shows are on a budget so my time is limited. And there’s only so much you can do with five days of work. Thankfully, with Jane Eyre, a few of the actors who did it in Hartford are coming back, including the actress who plays Jane. But there are also several actors who are newly cast.

Anyway, that’s where my head is at the moment.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: coaching 18 Comments

Comments

  1. kathy in iowa says

    August 11, 2022 at 9:23 am

    those thoughts/feelings are understandable, claudia, especially considering the experiences of the past two-plus years … but you will do fine. i am sure of it!

    glad at least some of your flowers are doing well. i am in no rush for winter, but sure welcome the cooler, easier weather of fall … the brown grass and wilted leaves on trees and bushes are sad reminders of the drought so many of us are experiencing.

    made for a late night, but i crossed a couple things off my to-do list yesterday and that feels good. more today.

    hope you all have a nice, safe day. and that your sister and nephew are fully recovered from covid.

    kathy

    Reply
    • Chris says

      August 11, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      6 words for you: you’re a pro; you’ll do great.

      Reply
      • Claudia says

        August 12, 2022 at 9:15 am

        Thank you, Chris!

        Stay safe.

        Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:11 am

      They are. Little Z started school this week.

      Stay safe, Kathy.

      Reply
  2. Ellen D. says

    August 11, 2022 at 9:44 am

    You are a professional who knows what she is doing so I am sure you will be great! It is nice to be useful and busy again but yet it’s hard to give up your peace and quiet. I can understand your yes/no conflict! It will go quickly and you will be celebrating your success soon!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:12 am

      Thanks so much, Ellen.

      Stay safe!

      Reply
  3. Judy Clark says

    August 11, 2022 at 9:51 am

    I am sure you will do a great job as always. The weather here has been horrible. We had 27 days in a row of actual Temps over 100. The heat indexes were 110-115. My yard is all brown even with twice a day watering. I have lost alot of flowers. We had a “cold front” come thru and are now in the high 90s. Ready for Fall. Have a good week.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:12 am

      I’m so sorry Judy! It’s depressing, isn’t it?

      Thanks so much.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  4. Barrie says

    August 11, 2022 at 10:12 am

    I’m really looking forward to the fall! I understand the yes-no idea….. usually when I have that feeling, and I go with the yes, I’m glad that I did….

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:13 am

      Well, I took the jobs, so I have to go with the yes!

      Stay safe, Barrie.

      Reply
  5. Bburke says

    August 11, 2022 at 11:32 am

    Love Jane Eyre…taught it and seniors got it…one of ,y favorites…I can’t wait to hear all about your work…what you can share…I am so so happy for you…excited for you…

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:14 am

      I don’t share a lot about my work because what goes on in a rehearsal room or in the theater is private. I’ve coached this particular production before, in Hartford, right before lockdown.

      Thanks, Brenda.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  6. Linda MacKean says

    August 11, 2022 at 11:47 am

    I get anxious when my routines change but I also know its good for me. I think you will enjoy this time with actors and doing your coaching and then return home renewed. I’m just waiting for the heat to go away.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:14 am

      It finally broke here and we should have some lovely temps for the next several days.

      Thanks so much, Linda.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  7. Jenny says

    August 11, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    Being the talented professional you are, I have no doubt you will do a great job, like you do every time. I feel that no-yes in almost every decision I make!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:15 am

      Thanks so much Jenny!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  8. jeanie says

    August 11, 2022 at 10:31 pm

    You will be 100 percent A-OK with the shows. And hopefully, your time with them will also bring wonderful weather so you can enjoy it without overheating!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 12, 2022 at 9:16 am

      Let’s hope so!

      Thanks, Jeanie.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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