21 – Wow I’m old!

I'm turning 21 on the 1^st April – and that’s not a joke.

So I had a big party for my 18^th and I’m doing a similar thing for my 21^st but after this one I can imagine my celebrations will probably die down.

Therefore, I need to make the most out of this one!

Event no.1 = With all of my University friends I am going to Brighton for the weekend to get thoroughly smashed and party on the beach!

We're staying in a seafront hostel where we've hired a 9 bed dorm for the Saturday night, so getting ready there and then taking a short stroll along the beach to the clubs.
We will probably hit a number of bars before making our way to Digital where we will party the night away! Excited is an understatement.

Event no.2 = On the actual day my boyfriend and my mum are getting the train down together from Northampton (my home town) to spend the day with me doing touristy things which I am so excited about! The loveliest thing about Christiano (the boyfriend) is that he gets on with my family so well! It’s like he’s always been a part of our crazy gang (well, it has been nearly 6 years)!

Event no.3 = In the evening my mum is taking me to see The Book of Mormon. We have both been yearning to see this show ever since it came to London. My step-mum has seen it and told me about one scene where there is an ensemble tap routine and mid-way through the lights go off and about 30 seconds later when they come back on there has been a costume change whilst they were still tap dancing! It is going to be unreal!

Event no.4 = Party! This is the main event – save the best till last!
It starts at 7 with a buffet and jazz band, now that I’m old I have to do sophisticated events like this, but then from 9 onwards it turns into a generic 21^st party. I like having it split into two like this because it means my grandparents and distant relatives can come for the beginning and my friends can come for the evening. There’s nothing worse than running around trying to chat to everyone at your own event and never really having any fun.

I think it’s safe to say that this birthday is going to be EPIC!

Love being a student and love being young! I hope turning 21 doesn’t mean the start of early nights, family cars and socks and sandals!

Performing Arts

I am currently the vocal coach for the University of Greenwich Performing Arts Society, which I love just as much as my Drama degree. Many people who are interested in drama have a number of different skills that don’t just lie with acting. Performing Arts Society is a creative place for people who are interested in acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument, participating in the backstage crew, script writing and many more practices. We accept anyone, from those who have professional experience to those who have never performed before and want to start somewhere.

We are currently working towards an original show called
TURBULENCE

The opening of this show is set in an airport which progresses onto the aeroplane.

It features a variety of songs from Guns ‘N’ Roses Paradise City, to Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat from Guys ‘N’ Dolls, and around to Fly by Nicki Minaj ft Rihanna.

All of the songs, dances and instrumental numbers help carry the storyline through. The piece reaches a climactic ending through song and dialogue which will make the audience fear for the lives of the passengers. Will they survive the turbulence? Can the pilot keep it together?

If you’re at all interested in drama or just want to see what the University is capable of, then come along on the Thursday 27^th March at 7.30pm, at Bathway.

University of Greenwich
Old Woolwich Public Baths
Bathway
LONDON
SE18 6QX

Drama Production

Drama Production is one of the third year modules for BA (Hons) Drama students. This course gives students the opportunity to either act or direct a full length play. This is a great alternative to a dissertation for all those students who are fearful of essays. The exciting thing about this course is the prospective directors pitch play ideas which the course leaders choose from and then the actors get the chance to audition for the plays they prefer. I auditioned for three out of the four choices (it’s recommended that you audition for as many as possible) and was cast in Road by Jim Cartwright.

I am over the moon to be performing in this play and particularly to be playing Louise. Louise is a gentle soul who is quiet and follows the crowd. Her best friend Carol is much the opposite; energetic, loud and forthcoming. They make a comical double act which reflects my actual relationship with the actor who plays Carol, Bethany Fisher. For example, at the end of last summer we went to Essex for a friend’s birthday where we sustained roughly a level 10 on the hyperactive scale all weekend. Those that were there named us a double act as funny as Laurel and Hardy and as successful as Ant and Dec. I can imagine this is going to help us tremendously for our performance. The final scene of the play that features our characters heavily is set after a night out (at the post-lash), in preparation for this scene Beth and I are going to get drunk and film ourselves acting it out, then watch it when we’re sober and replicate our mannerisms. Not only will this help with our drunk acting abilities but it will also be a hilarious activity!

This play is set in Lancashire during the 1980’s and it highlights the inequality of Thatcher’s policies. Cartwright gives an eloquent voice to an ignored margin of society. If you’re interested in watching a black comedy with an excellent cast, come and watch on the 15^th or 16^th of May at Bathway Building in Woolwich.

University of Greenwich
Old Woolwich Public Baths
Bathway
LONDON
SE18 6QX

Australia

On Friday 6^th December at 22.15 I will be jetting off from Heathrow airport to the delights of AUSTRALIA!

Some people may think that divorced parents are a negative thing for a child but, for me, through their separation (at age 2) I gained two new wonderful step-parents and, by extension, grandparents also. My step-mum Kathryn is Australian and moved to the UK many years ago, her family have visited us a number of occasions and this year it is my privilege to return the favour. My dad, step-mum, little brother Charlie and I are trekking across the globe for a four week holiday in Geelong, Australia.

EXCITED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT

Due to the fact that we will be staying in Shurlee and Phillip’s house (step-grandparents) in the ordinary world of Australia I may be able to avoid the trauma of becoming a BRIT-ON-HOLIDAY.

It’s tragic when we resort to burnt chicken legs, football frenzy and shouting at the natives in English because we refuse to attempt their language.

In this setting I should be able to avoid the stereotype and become a true Aussie.

But what is a true Aussie at Christmas time: do people have barbecues for lunch, an afternoon game with boomerangs and an evening ride with the kangaroo? Hmm…

Sadly I’m not sure if any of these are true.

Kathryn has assured me that we will be eating the traditional turkey dinner, even though its summer time and it will leave us sweltering inside and out.
And another hilarious tradition that they share with us is the giving of cards that have snow on them, and also the singing of snow related songs.
In the heat of Geelong, I’ll still be singing “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” (*But please don’t)

Long-Distance Relationship:

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is trudging along at University whilst trying to manage a long-distance relationship. After being with my significant other for over 5 years (the last 2 and a half of those being at University) we do whatever we can to shelter our relationship and make the long distance work.

Chris, the boyfriend, goes to Newcastle University and therefore lives 299 miles away from me. Or, the equivalent to 4 hours 55 in the car, 5 hours on trains, 8 hours on buses or (and just for the hell of it) 31 hours cycling. There’s no point putting the amount of time for walking on there, I’m no Vanessa Carlton – “I’d walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight.”

For a long time Chris and I were unable to Skype because of bad internet connection (a common problem for us poor students) and neither of us have many monthly minutes on our phone plans which basically means that texting was our way of staying connected. For most of my second year I had a relationship with my inbox, not very healthy at all.

But one thing I have learned from a long distance relationship; is how important our time is when we do get to spend it together. It’s true; absence does make the heart grow fonder.
In our last year we are now looking forward to a future where we live in, at least, the same region of the country as each other.

If you are reading this and are currently in a long-distance relationship then my advice is to push through it and stay strong because it gets easier and it’s 100% worth it in the end – what you’re left with is a rock solid bond that can’t be touched by anything.

Feeling good

Career Crisis

I’ve had my entire life planned out since I was in primary school and now I’m in third year at University (about to go out and start living it) I begin to have reservations. #panic

An ex-actor came to the University recently and had a talk with us about the realities of going into the biz. It shook me up a bit. Anyone going into this business never REALLY thinks they’re going to be spending more time working in Sainsbury’s than as an actor, but that’s the truth! After honestly assessing my skills and my level of passion in this area I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not for me.

(Big sigh of despair)

The ex-actor who spoke to us gave us a scenario to imagine in order to really understand whether we were ready for the harsh realities of show business.

Imagine you are approaching an important birthday of your closest loved one. You have been arranging an exciting surprise party for months. Everyone you know is arriving, people you haven’t seen for years. An hour before the party starts, you get a call, you have an audition in half an hour.
Let’s say the audition isn’t even a big deal, it isn’t your big break it’s just another job.
Do you go?

My romantic view of life tempted me to answer with “yes, of course, anything to act” but actually… When I finally allowed myself to answer honestly I realised that my passion wasn't enough.

After a lovely meal with my dad and step-mum this weekend (at Pizza Express - even tastier when you don’t have to pay for it) they assured me that no one knows what they’re going to do in life. Even when you’re out there living it it’s still a mystery.

So, for now, I’m just going to set myself the task of planning next year. After that… who knows?!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to become an investment banker any time soon and I will NEVER give up performing. I've just got to jiggle things about a bit.

Never realised growing up is so hard.

My First Blog

My name is Ellie Baldwin and I’m just approaching my final year at the University of Greenwich on the drama degree. I don’t come from far, just an hour on the train from Euston station, which means whilst growing up I was fortunate enough to frequently visit the capital. As a child I’ve developed a great passion for theatre which includes both from the audience and from on the stage. Since the first time I watched a west end show (Jesus Christ Superstar) I knew that my life would lead me to the London and there I would stay. The University of Greenwich has been my first step on this lifelong journey. One day I hope to be a musical theatre performer in the West End and even though I am aware of the hurdles I most cross in this profession – nothing will stop me from continuing on this path. (I’m making this sound like a quest such as in Harry Potter) – Hopefully there won’t be any dark lords to cross along my journey.

Somehow I've managed to reference Harry Potter in the first paragraph about myself which probably says a lot about my character. I am a big reader which started when I first picked up Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone as a child. This led me into my interest of plays which combines both my love of reading and of theatre.

As a child I was also very involved in the skills of singing, dancing and musical instruments (piano, violin and guitar). I eventually gave up the violin after it had a violent collision with my bed – but that’s a story for another blog. The skills in these performance areas that I didn't fiercely abandon have carried me through to my current position as Vocal Coach for the Performing Arts Society.

This society, formally known as Glee, has given me extra opportunities to perform alongside my drama degree. Last year I attained the role of Vocal Coach but after a difficult year of gaining and maintaining members, as the committee, we decided to renovate the society giving it an entirely new image. Performing Arts society gives members opportunities to be involved in production both on the stage and off, meaning we are interested in both performers (with any ability) as well as theatre technicians, costume designers and stage managers etc.

I have always had a passion for writing and the opportunity to divulge all of my trials and tribulations in my final year is very exciting.

Blogging Begins

Ellie Baldwin