“I love acting. It is so much more real than life.” - Oscar Wilde
by Jill Knetter on October 19th, 2008 • 2 Comments »
…and the self-esteem to match.
Not actually accurate at the moment, but an excellent song lyric nonetheless. Speaking of songs, here’s Song of the Week™! I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long, so I’m giving you something extra-fantastic to listen to. “G.I.N.A.S.F.S.” by Fall Out Boy. You can listen to it here, and I found the lyrics here because Fall Out Boy always has great lyrics (this song is particularly amazing), but Patrick Stump is not always easy to understand at first. Enjoy!
You know what I think that people need? More laughter. I read a study recently that found that, on average, children laugh between 400 and 500 times a day. What about adults? A pitiful 30 times a day. Why is that? Are we so cynical and pessimistic that we can’t find humor anymore? I think that’s part of it. But there must be more to it than that.
I’m one of those people who deals with a tough situation by laughing about it. Sometimes other people see that as insensitivity, but it’s not, it’s just what I’d rather do than cry. That’s a Knetter thing, though. Even earlier this year when my grandma was in the hospital and we weren’t sure if she’d make it, after we shed our tears and lapsed into terrified silence, my grandpa started cracking jokes. It’s just how we deal - everybody has a system.
I saw my older brother for the first time in a few months this weekend. It was wonderful. Nathan is one of the best guys I know. I always call him up when I have a funny story, because no matter what level of humor it is (on a scale of amused smile to hysterics), he always laughs like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard. And when he gets going, so do I. The mood he creates around himself is intoxicating. Whenever I need a break from my life, I head down to Wisconsin Rapids to spend a few days with him…it’s like a mini-vacation, and I always feel better when I come back home.
It’s interesting what different people find to laugh at. There are people like me, who will laugh at just about anything (I really mean that - sometimes when I laugh, it doesn’t make sense). Then there are those people who have to be in exactly the right situation and hear or see exactly the right thing, even just to smile. I’m glad I’m not like that. I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I didn’t spend so much of my time laughing. Some would call me easily amused, and I guess that’s true. I like to think of it as being able to find even just a scrap of joy in any situation, even a rotten one.
Now that the year is coming to a close, we’re getting to that season that causes the most depression - winter. Partner that with the rough state of our country, and I think we’re gonna need all the laughter we can get. Here’s what I think: everybody ought to try a little harder to find humor in ordinary situations. You’d be amazed at what you come up with, and how you start to see the world! Also, don’t take things so hard. Just try to understand that things are a certain way, and then move on. I can almost guarantee that if we all try just a little, everybody can be a lot happier.
Maybe I’m a little naive. I understand that it’s not always easy to find goodness in every situation. But there’s no reason not to try. Rose-tinted glasses may not always be fashionable, but I’m wearing them anyway. What have I got to lose? Being happy, or at least content, doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s all about perspective.
Hmm…I think I’ve found a new philosophy…
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by Jill Knetter on September 23rd, 2008 • 2 Comments »
I wanna get lost in the rock and roll and drift away.
Rock Band 2. It was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more. I don’t know what it was…the amazing song selection, the ability to put them in sets, the character and wardrobe design…but something just made me fall even more in love with this game than I did with the first one. Andy Laub (on guitar), Abe (on bass), Andy Straub (on vocals) and I (on drums) played on Friday night. No, we didn’t play. We jammed, we brought down the house…we rocked. It was epic. And the best part? My character on the game wears wellington boots.
Playing Rock Band 2 got me thinking. I know that at some point everybody and their brother tries to start a band. I never really understood the appeal of it, but I think playing Rock Band kind of explains it for me. After all, who doesn’t want legions of screaming fans, lots of money, and mad skillz? The problem is that learning those instruments (and I mean the real ones) is much more difficult than that. I can play a couple of instruments, and the only one even remotely appropriate for a band is the piano. I can also play the trumpet and the French horn, but who ever heard of a rock band with a brass section? Not to mention that I was never exactly what you’d call “good”.
So, ok, maybe I’ll never be a famous musician. I can live with that, as long as I can sort of pretend to be one through things like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. And maybe some day I’ll get togther some other people who play weird instruments, and maybe we can start a new kind of band and take the world by storm. Or maybe not. But it never hurts to dream.
While we’re on the subject of famous and/or talented musicians, take a look at this video that Ben alerted me to. These kids are incredible, I wish I had half of that talent.
And last, but certainly not least, the Song of the Week™ - a hip-happenin’ rock fest called “Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy” by Fall Out Boy. Check it out here. This was off their first successful album, way back when Patrick Stump (the lead singer) was skinny. He has gained weight over the years, but I’m still kind of in love with him.
If anybody out there plays the oboe, triangle, sousaphone, bass clarinet, or some other unusual instrument, call me. I’ve got an idea for a band…
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by Jill Knetter on September 14th, 2008 • No Comments »
Feather your bangs!
That was a tribute to Andy Laub…he knows why.
It is Sunday evening, and I find myself relaxing at home alone. This is not something that occurs often, and I am extremely pleased. Not that I don’t love my family, but it’s so quiet and restful here right now.
This last week was very busy for me. I decided not to try out for The Philadelphia Story because I realized that I couldn’t remember what it felt like to have a full night’s sleep anymore. Instead I’m going to be helping out with hair, makeup, and possibly some costuming and odd-jobs for Seussical at DC Everest. I’ve never seen how they put together a show and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.
Friday night we had a Sweeney Todd reunion of sorts at Mickey’s on Grand Ave. Actually it was a lot of WCT folk, some I knew and some I didn’t, but it was a good time. I came to it after sitting at Arby’s for nearly two hours with a couple friends. I haven’t done something like that in a loooong time. It was great. Mickey’s was wonderful, I got to see Andy and Abe and Steve and Erin and I got to meet Peter. I was one of the last people to leave. Saturday I drove into Eau Claire with my cousin Brittney and my friend Maisie to visit some friends who are going to school there. We had a good time, it was neat to be back on a campus (and of course there were good-looking college boys all over the place). Unfortunately we had to leave at 8:00 this morning so that I could be back in time to get to work in Wausau by 10:00.
Tonight I went to the informational meeting for the cast and crews of Seussical and from there I went to the read-through for A Christmas Carol. Let me take this moment to, once again, marvel at how perfectly Larry is able to cast his shows. Eric and Karen Brandt are Mr. and Mrs. Crachit and their daughter Emma plays Martha Crachit. The man playing Scrooge is new to me, but very very talented. We’ve got some old favorites back like Lucas Gajewski as the caroling orphan boy, and the guy who was Jacob Marley last year is reprising his role to general delight - he’s extraordinary. As I meationed last time I posted, I’m playing the wife of Scrooge’s nephew Fred. The role of Fred is being played by D.J. Slater who writes for the Daily Herald. He’s a really nice guy and a very talented actor. This whole cast is going to be great to work with, I can tell already.
I’ve picked the new Song of the Week™. You can hear it and watch the video here - “That’s What You Get” by Paramore. I should mention that a lot of the music I post here (including this week’s song and last week’s song) is brought to my attention by my 14-year-old cousin Brittney, who has amazing taste. Honestly, if she tells me that I’ll like a certain band, I blindly follow and pick up a CD or download some of their stuff because she has yet to be wrong.
So that’s it for now. Good night all!
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by Jill Knetter on September 10th, 2008 • 4 Comments »
All I want is to be next to you!
I’ve got a question for all of you, or at the very least those who read my blogs. Can you find a similarity between most of my blog post titles? Not every single one, because I didn’t start doing this right away. If you figure it out, you get 20 Cool Points and my respect!
Now as we all know (or maybe just Andy and I know?), Rock Band 2 will be hitting the shelves next week. This is HUGE. For those of you who know either of us at all, you will know that we are VERY excited about it. Excited enough that we’ve already planned when we’re going to get together and rock out. With Andy on guitar, Abe on bass, and me on drums, we’re unstoppable. I really liked Guitar Hero when it came out. My brothers bought it right away and I fell in love with it. I was never as proficient at it as they were, but I managed. Rock Band, though, was something I could do. The guitar part isn’t as hard as on Guitar Hero (go figure, right?), the drums are amazing, but by far I’m best at vocals. Not that I’m a great singer, but I can hit enough pitches correctly to do alright.
Another upcoming game that I’m pretty excited about is Fable 2. It’s not due out until October, but I can wait that long. I’ve still got to procure an X-Box 360, now that both of my brothers who own one have moved out. I absolutely adored the first game, it was completely unlike anything I’ve played before, mostly because of the choices. Now, some argue that the only REAL choice in any of the situations is that age-old debate of good vs. evil, and really they’re right. But it’s incredible all the ways that these choices affect your character. Everything changes from your appearance to the way that people react to you when you walk past. And the whole design of the game is just beautiful. The only thing that struggled a little was the voice acting…but since when has anybody really cared much about that, right? So Fable 2 is going to have more locations, more missions, and more choices - including whether you want to be a gent or a lady! I cannot wait.
On an unrelated note, I found out that I’ve been cast in the role of Julia in WCT’s production of A Christmas Carol. Julia is the wife of Scrooge’s nephew Fred. I’m very excited about it - it was a great show last year. Tomorrow night I’m auditioning for Philadelphia Story (instead of tonight so I can try out with the Brandts). I’m a little nervous, but as I’m not really expecting to get in, I’m not overly worried. Besides, if I don’t get in, I can help out with makeup for Seussical at DC Everest, which would be pretty amusing.
That’s what’s up, biotches. Have a great week 
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by Jill Knetter on September 7th, 2008 • One Comment »
Rest now forever…
Before I get down to the real content of this post, let me apologize for my absence these last few…weeks, or maybe months. I’ve been outrageously busy between work and Sweeney Todd, and until today have only really stopped home to sleep. That said, on with the update.
Today we closed Sweeney Todd. After all the complaining I did in the post that directly precedes this one, I just want to say what an amazing show and experience it ended up being. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of most of the cast members (there are always some exceptions), and I think we did something wonderful together. The show got a great response, we had great audiences, and I’m proud of the work we did. I made some new friends and strengthened a lot of old bonds. As always, I’m glad I was a part of this show.
Now I want to bring something sad to your attention. As of today, The Summer of Andy and Jill™ has come to an end. Yes, friends, it is the end of an era. Since May I do not think I’ve gone longer than two days at a time without seeing Andy Laub. It’s going to take some getting used to to go back to only seeing him on weekends and randomly around Wausau. But it was a great summer while it lasted.
So what now? Well, tomorrow night I’m auditioning for A Christmas Carol and on Wednesday or Thursday I’m auditioning for The Philadelphia Story, both at WCT. I know, again I could be jumping in without a break, but I love being involved in this stuff. A lot of people don’t realize that rehearsal is my down time. When I don’t have it, I’m bored and sad. Besides, the chance of me getting into PS is pretty slim, as the cast isn’t huge and there’s really only one part that I’m anywhere near suited to. But it never hurts to try, n’est-ce pas? So if I don’t get into PS but I get into Christmas Carol, I’ve got a two month break, which would not be unwelcome. Basically what I’m saying is I’d be alright either way.
One final thing: a song. Yes, I have another Song of the Week™ for you and will once again be attempting to keep up with that. So here it is - “Thunder” by Boys Like Girls. Enjoy!
Good night, good night, my someone…
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by Jill Knetter on July 29th, 2008 • 2 Comments »
Sweeney Todd rehearsals have been in full swing for a little over a week now. As you could probably gather from my past posts, rehearsal for whatever show I’m in is my favorite place to be. I get to see old friends and do something I love. Perks specific to this show include quoting Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! with Andy, sassing Erik (who really is awesome, for the record), hanging out with Michelle and Mary (my fellow Beadle’s Bitches) and having Eric Brandt as my stage husband. As it was pointed out to me, that’s a little creepy considering that he’s old enough to be my dad…but this show is really creepy, so it kind of works. Overall, I am having a lot of fun with this show and all of it’s creepy wonder and complicated music.
Now I will tell you something I’m NOT enjoying about this show. You see, about half of the cast is composed of high schoolers. This would be fine, and as a former WCT high schooler myself I certainly advocate it, but it’s only ok when you have high schoolers who know how to behave at rehearsal. Now to be fair, we do have some. The Edgar kids are generally alright, although this time around they seem to think that writing down their blocking is somehow beneath them. And there are some of my favorites from Wausau like Steve and Lucas. But rehearsal starts to seem less fun when Larry and Erik have to spend a large amount of time telling the kids to be quiet. Honestly, every time we stop singing (and sometimes while we still are) or end a scene apparently that is cue for everyone to stop paying attention. Prime example: last night we learned a very short minuet for a flashback-type part of the show. Then we were shown a certain step to use to circle the stage. We tried it once, and then everyone started talking again. The choreographers changed the step and showed it to us and we tried again. Eric and I, along with about 3 couples next to us did the new step. The rest of them hadn’t been paying any attention at all and just repeated what we were told not to do.
I am generally a patient person. I give people a million and one chances before I will finally say something. As an actress in this show, crowd control is not my job. But I feel like it is the hugest disrespect to Larry, Erik, and Jeff and Missy that these kids simply will not listen. If you are asked to be quiet once during a rehearsal, that should be the only time it happens all night. In a cast that actually cares, that should be the only time in a week or maybe even ever. But no, at least five or six times a night I hear “Everybody be quiet!” “When we end a song you should not be talking!” “Please don’t talk when other people are singing!” “Did you guys get that? No, you were talking!”. Anyone who knows me knows that if I think you’re talking too much, that’s bad. I talk more than anybody I know.
It just gets old, that’s all I’m saying.
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by Jill Knetter on July 22nd, 2008 • 2 Comments »
Last night I attended my first actual Sweeney Todd rehearsal. It was full cast and we ran music for the show. In all the time I’ve spent listening to various versions of the soundtrack I never realized how complicated some of the songs were. The casts always made it sound so easy and wonderful. Not that the music is bad - on the contrary, it’s quite amazing - but it’s difficult. I think, though, so long as everybody works hard, it’ll all come together and we’ll have a wonderful show.
In addition to numbers involving the chorus, we went through a lot of the solos and duets as well. I said it last night and I’ll say it again - Andy Laub never ceases to impress me with how talented he is. I mean, I’ve always known that he was good, but he just keeps on demonstrating how wonderful he really is. Mike (whose last name I will not attempt because I know better than to think I could spell it), who plays Judge Turpin, was fantastic last night. Maybe timing isn’t completely his thing yet, but we could not have asked for a more enthusiastic performer.
This is the first time I’ve ever worked with Erik Olsen. He’s the musical director and he’s great. He knows his stuff, he’s organized, and he’s got a great sense of humor. Another winning quality is that he good-naturedly takes all of my smart-ass remarks and believe me, there are many. Actually last night he rescued my bag of Cheetos from that piece of crap snack machine they have at WCT, so I owed him a sass-free rehearsal. It lasted a whole 10 minutes.
Really though, I’m already in love with this show and with the rehearsals for it. I can’t wait to go back tonight and try to work through the music and get to know more of my castmates. Then tomorrow we start blocking, which is always fun.
It’s going to be a good 8 weeks.
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by Jill Knetter on July 19th, 2008 • No Comments »
Before I say anything substantial, I owe you a Song of the Week™. Here it is - “A Favor House Atlantic” by Coheed and Cambria.
We’ve reached the end of another wonderful show. I couldn’t possibly put eloquently how I felt about this experience, or at least not more eloquently than I’ve already done in previous posts. It was wonderful and amazing and everything it should have been (well except for a few minor things that I’m choosing to put behind me). Now on to the next…
Yesterday was just as crazy as I thought it would be, but even so, I managed to keep my head on straight and enjoy myself. The wedding went off without a hitch. LJ (a friend who came over from Green Bay for the wedding and the show) and I made excellent time in getting to Tango’s. We also passed a cute guy on 29 who checked me out, so that kind of made my day. The show went beautifully, we had a great audience, and everyone did a fantastic job. I only wish I could have stayed through curtain call. The reception from the wedding was awesome. My stepbrother brought a whole ton of glow sticks so I wore them all night and danced like crazy. I also dance with my charmingly intoxicated older brother (who, considering the amount of alcohol he had consumed by that point was pretty steady on his feet). I also danced a polka with my mother and had a slow dance with a boy that I’m not related to. Overall, I’d say it was a pretty great evening.
This morning LJ woke me up at 9:30. Considering that I didn’t get to sleep until about 4 a.m., I would have preferred to sleep in a little later, but we got up and made breakfast, which was alright. This afternoon I have to work and then it’s time for the Over the River and Through the Woods cast party that I wasn’t sure I could go to. Dad and Julie decided not to go out tonight, so I don’t have to babysit anymore. I hope Andy is pleased.
And now the throat slicing commences…swing your razor wide, Sweeney.
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by Jill Knetter on July 15th, 2008 • 4 Comments »
My mom’s wedding bells, to be precise. Yes. I am 20 years old and on Friday evening (who gets married on a Friday evening?) I am to be my mother’s maid of honor.
You know, it’s strange. My parents divorced when I was 16. I didn’t take it very well when my dad told me, but I think part of the problem was that HE was the one to tell me about it, and my MOM was the one who wanted it. She wanted a divorce and couldn’t even be bothered to tell me herself. She made poor old Dad do it, which was hard enough, but it was worse because he didn’t really understand why. I didn’t either. In fact, I still don’t know why. My mom offered to tell me once, but I knew that no reason she could give me would be good enough. There are very few excuses I would have accepted for why she wanted out of her marriage to my dad. Unlike your average divorce, she moved out. We stayed living with my dad, which I think was the best decision I ever made. My mom and I didn’t (and don’t) have the kind of mother/daughter relationship you see in movies where they tell each other everything and they fight but you know that deep down they really care. As far as we’re concerned, the less we see of each other, the better we get along. Sad, but true.
Seeing my parents go through a divorce kind of turned me off to the idea of marriage for a long time. Growing up all I wanted in life was to some day get married and have a family. Suddenly at 16 it was more like “Well I could get married, but then it’d probably end badly because no one seems to want to try anymore…maybe I’ll just get really involved in my career instead.” And that suited me ok for a while, even with the thought of never having children. Then, last summer, my grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. We went to a special mass for them at my church and I listened as the priest renewed their vows, and I started to cry. I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life. That’s when I decided that giving up on marriage altogether wouldn’t make me feel better. Making a success of my own someday would.
I don’t know how I’m going to feel on Friday watching my mother walk down that aisle to pledge her heart to a man who isn’t my dad. Maybe I’ll be happy for her. Maybe I’ll be upset. Maybe it won’t bother me at all. But I’m going to go and be there for her, because that’s what she wants and that’s what a good daughter would do.
Isn’t it?
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by Jill Knetter on July 13th, 2008 • No Comments »
…whoa, livin’ on a prayer!
Ok, we’re not actually living on a prayer. But Over the River and Through the Woods is already half over, and I’m getting ready to miss it. Not that I’ll have time, because as soon as we’re done with this show, it’s on to Sweeney Todd. I know what you’re thinking - “Don’t you ever take a break?!” (No.). I’m excited, though, because we had the first read-through tonight, and Larry has, once again, assembled an amazing cast. It’s going to be another wonderful WCT production, that’s for sure.
In my last post I put in a ton of sappiness about OTR/TTW, so I’ll spare you this time. My dad and his finacee came last night, though, and I didn’t think any of my family was going to make it, so that was a real treat. Afterward they said they were proud and wanted to get me dinner somewhere…so I suggested Taco Bell :o)
Boy do I love my dad.
I haven’t got anything else really to say tonight…I think I’ll be feeling a bit more vocal (is that still appropriate if I’m typing?) tomorrow, or maybe Tuesday, so you can probably expect to hear from me again soon.
Until then, adieu.
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