Week One

[stagemanagers]

[Yesterday, everyone woke up in a strange place and realized that they'd been kidnapped, and also that everyone else around them may or may not be kinnies? Wow, what a weird escalation of kin drama! Given what some people have seen of Spongebob's freaky arm thing, though, maybe it's not that at all?

Your Assistant Director, Hester, showed off her stuff and immediately had her life threatened by Lumpy Space Princess, who got her life threatened right back. Maybe you should keep that in mind if you decide to pay Hester any more visits! She won't be making another public appearance this week, but as promised, she'll be available for visits and consultation in the Principal's Office during business hours.

If you don't want to chat with Hester, there's always the school to explore! Some of you might also be receiving mysterious coins next to your bedside this week - those must be useful for something, right? There's lots to do, and you all seem like a group who can make your own fun, so enjoy your first week of school!]


Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday


(( OOC: This will be the last mod post for this week! Feel free to start submitting regains for any threads that aren't with Hester. Remember, song threads mean an extra coin! This is a peace week, so get all that CR while you can! ))

Comments

[mayavericks]

[She tilts her head faintly, though her eyes remain on the stage.]

And what is that, Monsieur Salieri?

[violentenvies]

The joy of doing it.

[mayavericks]

[The corner of her mouth twitches upward.]

How easy it is to forget about that joy, when it's our jobs. [She taps her chin.] I wonder if this is what shine is, then.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri chuckles a bit, lightly, quietly, at that first part] Exactly. As far as I know, aside from the Balladeer, myself, and I suspect yourself, what with your practicing, this is not something any of them would say is their vocation. [he considers a moment] ....the distraction factor certainly isn't something to ignore either.

[he glances at her again]

Though...I wonder, what do you mean by "shine?"

[he has an idea, of course, but he's more interested in hearing what she has to say]

[mayavericks]

It's good to watch, then. To remind ourselves of the joy that should come not just from the performance, but from performing.

[It's a perspective she hasn't considered in a long time. Certainly, some of the girls at her school felt similarly, but it all felt childish when they said it. Coming from someone as illustrious as Salieri, on the other hand?

She starts a little at his question, then shakes her head.]

It's a phrase a... tutor of mine used. It's what powers the stage and brings it to life.

[violentenvies]

[at the explanation, the corner of his mouth quirks upward slightly, softening into a small smile]

...that does sound rather appropriate, yes. What powers the stage...[he muses on that, for a moment]

Perhaps it can be a bit too easy, as professionals, to lose ourselves in the work and the desire for perfection; to put on a show worth remembering, which is certainly a lofty goal, but...I cannot say I'm not looking forward to putting on this one, where there is certain to be a lack of such a thing. However, looking at those auditioning, I don't think it will have a lack of "shine," for all it will lack some perfection.

[mayavericks]

[How interesting. Maya squints at the stage, basic considering where it is. It's certainly not the extravagant thing that Seisho offered. Still, her brow pinches in the slightest.]

A question for you, Maestro? Do you think we veterans could be outshone by these newcomers?

[violentenvies]

[Salieri blinks at that, glancing sidelong at Maya again, unsure of the origin of such a question. He pauses to consider, frowning slightly as he turns his attention back to those onstage]

I think it might perhaps be possible, from certain points of view. However...might I also suggest that there is a different "shine" possible between veterans and newcomers? As much as a newcomer's enthusiasm may cause them to have the brightness of something new and untrained, I would also propose that a veteran performer also has their own, different type of shine; one that comes with experience and practice, and all the time and passion put into the venture of cultivating their skills.

[mayavericks]

[The furrow in her brow deepens as she puzzles over that. There's a hint of concern there if only for a moment.]

Then one must wonder -- who would outshine the other if it came to a clash.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri considers that for a moment]

...I think it would depend on the purpose of the clash and where it was. For example, if it were for a position at the Vienna Opera House...then the more experienced singer is more likely to be the stand out, not only because of their singing and acting, but also because of the trust their experience affords them among their contemporaries. They already understand how the process works, and there is the expectation of that in order to make rehearsals run smoothly. In fact, it's unlikely that a newcomer would even get an audition.

However, if we are speaking of a competition, those usually come with an age range and an experience range, because one cannot compare a younger singer with no experience to a singer even five years older with some experience. Nor can one compare that singer to a singer perhaps ten years older, with even more experience.

[he pauses once again] ...in such a way, I don't really know if these types of shine are even really comparable, or if it would be fair for anyone involved to even try to do so.

[mayavericks]

[Maya listens silently. Her lips press into a thin, thoughtful line. What Salieri says makes sense, but... it's hard to put it into the context that she's thinking of. Especially when she hardly understands what this revue process entails.]

In the end it's all hypothetical, I suppose. [But Maya's laser focus would indicate otherwise.]

[violentenvies]

[lol yeah no he's not buying that for a second]

I suppose so.

[. . . . . .]

...this whole idea of "shine" that your tutor impressed upon you...in what context did they speak of it?

[mayavericks]

[Maya catches her lip between her teeth for just a moment, before releasing it.]

It's unimportant. As I said, all theoretical, in the end.

[violentenvies]

...I see. [he sure sees something]

Of course. Completely theoretical. Only someone intentionally setting up an unfair system would pit newcomers against those with more experience, and who would ever do such a foolish thing?

[mayavericks]

Of course.

[She glances toward the stage one last time, before standing. She's said too much as it is.]

I look forward to seeing the results, Monsieur Salieri. Doubtless, it will be an incredible performance.

[violentenvies]

As am I, Mademoiselle Maya. Thank you for stopping to chat with me. I'll certainly have the results up tomorrow morning.