"I want to be apart of it...New York, New York!"

Ahhhh....a whole other week!

I'm sorry...I really am...

The end of last week was crazy busy with me getting ready to leave and once I got here, I just got all wrapped up in things.

Anyways...I'm here!

As we flew into the city, I was filled with excitement! The images of climbing into my first taxi ride, walking down Times Square, and standing under the Broadway marquis swarmed my head and I couldn't wait to experience it all. I had dreamed of going to New York my whole life...this was HUGE! 

(Ooh how do I explain this...?) 

When we got in the car to drive to the place that we're staying in Brooklyn, my heart slowly began to drop. 

This wasn't what I imagined!

It smelled terrible, there was garbage everywhere, there were no shiny tall buildings, and 

everything was dirty. But, most importantly there wasn't the New York classiness that I've always longed for. After we rolled through all 'Stop' signs with the car doors locked while driving in the sketchiest place we'd ever seen (...and I thought my neighborhood was bad!) we finally found the place where we'd be staying for the week. What was this? It wasn't the old, cool brownstone i'd pictured. The disappointment I had, grew larger. I started to get nervous, because I didn't love it. All I could think was "Oh my gosh. What am I going to do? I've planned my whole life around this place and I don't think I could handle living here." I always knew it would obviously be way different here than in Montana, but it kind of shocked me how different it really is. For the first few days I was here, I was really confused. It was a lot to wrap my mind around.  But, during those first few days I had only been in Brooklyn and the Bronx. I'd only seen the city skyline, but hadn't been in it yet. With what Brooklyn and the Bronx had to offer, I put it under Manhattan too. On Tuesday we hopped on the subway to Manhattan, feeling a little bit better, I wasn't expecting much, but still was hoping it may be different then Brooklyn, etc. When I walked up the stairs and onto the sidewalk, my breath was taken away. YES! This was the New York i'd always imagined. Central park was right there, the architecture was stunning, people were buzzing, the little shops and cafes were booming, etc! It was beautiful. Even though I only got to enjoy it for a few minutes before we hopped back on the subway, it took a huge weight of my shoulders and planted a seed of excitement/eagerness inside of me. Now all I can think about is what I get to go back to tomorrow, and where we'll be staying for the rest of the week 

Ahh! I'm so excited, I don't think i'll be able to sleep! 

We'll be staying in the city until my family (Dad & siblings) leaves my mom and I behind. Once they leave, my mom and I will go back to Brooklyn where we'll be staying for the next three weeks

 (different apartment/whole different area than where we're staying now- thank goodness)!

Then it is only the next morning that i'll be heading off to start my first day of class. EEK! I'm getting so so nervous, that sometimes I have to put in my headphones and listen to some Bernadette Peters to calm me down. Haha!  

Right now, they're holding the Alumni session, so it's been fun to follow them (Broadway Artist Alliance) on twitter, facebook, etc. and get a glimpse of what i'll be joining in on next week! It's going to be an amazing experience and I can't wait to be apart of it. Meanwhile, i'm constantly listening and practicing the songs that I'll have to show on the first day I get there.

Sorry again for the late update!

Hope all of you are doing well and are enjoying your break.

It may be summer, but I have to be up at 5a.m. to head into the city for some sightseeing (much better than waking for school)! 

Thank you so much for your support!

xo

Liv

PS: A few days ago I had to turn in what I want to have labeled on my headshot and resume. For the past few months I've been going back and forth on whether I want to be "Olivia Longin" or "Liv Longin". 

I finally went with what my gut was telling me and 

officially am/will be in the future "Liv Longin". 

I think it's a good 'stage name'- has a nice ring to it!
What do you think?

My Music Choices

 

 

"Tomorrow" as in two days later...sorry!

 

 

I've been asked numerous times if I have to take anything to the camp to perform,

and yes I do!

Each week I'm there, I have a certain major that i'll be working on. My first week will be voice, my second Acting, and my third voice, again. I have to have two 32-Measure prepared, contrasting songs per voice major (4 songs total) and two monologues per acting major (1 dramatic & 1 comedic).  

 

They make it very clear that picking music that isn't overdone, is in your best interest.

For example: You wouldn't want to sing "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, because casting agencies, directors, etc. have seen 800 girls sing it, making it harder to stand out.

Feeling the pressure of choosing not only music that I would connect to, but also ones that I have rarely heard, was really stressful. Especially, coming from Montana where nobody knows what Thoroughly Modern Millie is and in New York everybody's sick of listening to it.

After days of searching and listening to songs i've never heard and learning about different shows, I finally decided on my four pieces.

 

 

1. One Night with You- All Shook Up

 

I was apart of this show my Freshman year and loved it!

It has such a fun vibe!

 

 

 

 

2. Disneyland- Smile

 

I had never heard of this show before, until my friend from NY reccomended it.

I'm glad he did! This show 'Smile' only was on Broadway for 48 days, turning out to be a total flop. This made it really hard to find the sheet music to the song, which almost made me unable to do it. I luckily ran by a book that had this song in it, and snatched it up right away. I really wanted to do this piece, because it's really great to act to.

 

 

 

3. I Get a Kick out of You- Anything Goes

 

Sutton Foster is one of my greatest idols! She is fabulous!

I mean who doesn't love this song?

It's so classy and flirtsy.

LOVE it.

 

 

 

4. Whispering- Spring Awakening

 

I had heard of Spring Awakening, but never really checked into what it was about.

I'll let you look it up on your own...

It's really interesting and the music is beautiful.

I didn't originally plan to do this song, until I randomly showed it to my voice teacher.

I had listened to it, but quickly erased it from the list, due to it not being my usual type of song choice. I tend to lean towards the 'cutesy/flirtsy' pieces, not the dark/emotional ones.

At first, I didn't agree with her that it was  definetly one to be done, but after looking up what the show is about and listening to it over repeatedly, I fell in love with it.

It's been a challenge for me, with having to dig down deep inside myself and find that emotional side.

Singing it is so...( I don't even know how to explain it).

It's beautiful and it's probably my favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, I'm really really happy with my choices and

look forward to getting critique on how to make them better!

 

 

 

Thank you for following my journey and for all of your support!

 

Liv

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



My Fundraiser

 

Two and a half weeks since I wrote my last post? Where did that time go?!

June really flew by and writing posts escaped me, but i'm back!

 

 

A HUGE thank you to all of the people who came and supported me at my fundraiser!

All the hard work put into the event was totally worth getting to see so many familiar faces and it was really special knowing they were all there to support me.

 

 

The nachos were a good idea (and super yummy)! 

 

 

 

 

We had a Broadway themed dessert table with cupcakes that my mom and I made

and New York Cheesecake, of course!

 

 

Some of the faces I was so excited to see that night:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ....and many more!

 

 

Thank you to these guys and dolls for helping set up, serve, take down, etc...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My cousin Kaylen and her friend Mari came from Missoula to play during the event.

They were a HIT! Everybody loved listening to them.

 

 

This was when Kaylen was playing Defying Gravity from "Wicked" for me

and she sounded amazing. I love her so much!

Check their album out on iTunes under "Baby and Bukowski"- you'll be so glad you did!

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

 

A HUGE thank you to my amazing Mama!

None of this would have been possible without her positive energy, hard work, and

great amount of love.

 

 

 

Overall it was a great night and something i'll remember for forever!

 

If you weren't able to make it to my event, but would still like to donate, you can here:

http://www.gofundme.com/2nw6mo

 

The fundraiser brought me so so so so close to my goal and it would be incredible if I could reach it!

Thank you all again for your support, it means so much!

 

 

Anyways...

 

6 more days until NYC! ..........Wait.......What?

 

Obviously, it hasn't hit me yet.

 

 

Today i'll be busy practicing my music and monologues that I have to have prepared when I get to my intensive. I'll tell you more about those tomorrow...

 

Liv

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dream Big!

 

 

After a long afternoon of grocery shopping, picking up more postcards, and checking out the venue for my fundraiser, I came home to find that these goodies had arrived!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meaningful and Simple- Just the way I like things!

 

 

If you'd like to purchase one and help be a part of getting me to NYC for only $3,

I'll be selling them at my fundraiser!

If you're unable to make it to the event and would still like to support my dream, please email me at olivia.longin@hotmail.com and we will work something out!

 

 

I hope all of you are having a nice summer filled with lots of sun and relaxation!

I know i'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can, before I head off to the big city.

 

Only 35 more days! EEK!

 

Liv

 

 

Do you know what I just realized as i'm re-reading old posts?! I only have 25 MORE DAYS until NYC! NOT 35!!!!!!! ..........oh dear.......



"NYC...Up there, In Lights, I'll be..."

 

Yesterday, as I was looking through old photos of my Dad and I, I found these gems!

 

I remember this night pretty well, as it pops into my head quite frequently.

(It was the summer of 2002, so I would have been 5).

 

I was so excited that Avery was visiting and that we got to get dressed up for such a special event. "Annie" was one of my favorite movies and I couldn't wait to see it in person!

We felt so fancy in our little dresses as we headed off to go see my first play!

Littly Avy and I thought we were identical and loved when people would ask if we were sisters.

 Weren't we sweet?

 

I remember sitting up out of my chair, watching with wide eyes, and couldn't believe what I was watching. This was the greatest thing I had ever seen!

I was in love.

 

Katie (who played the role of Annie) was our frequent babysitter

when I was younger, and I adored/adore her!

I think she really helped me/had a huge impact on me finding my love of musical theatre.

She always had us dancing and singing to Footloose, Annie, or some Disney tunes!

 

 



I remember that I couldn't fall asleep that night, because I couldn't stop thinking of the production and how bad I wanted to be a part of something like that!

I had no idea of what was to come in the future, and how those dreams would unfold.

 

Only 36 MORE DAYS UNTIL NYC!

It still really hasn't hit me yet that this is happening. I keep drifting in and out of reality!

These next few weeks, before I go, I'll be busy working on the songs and monologues

that I have to have prepared for when I arrive at the Intensive.

 

The nerves are starting to arrive, but otherwise I'm so excited!

 

 

 

Psssst...Don't forget to come to the fundraiser I'll be having

Thursday, June 27th at the Black Eagle Community Center

(2332 Smelter Ave. NE, Black Eagle).

$5 all you can eat Nacho Bar/Raffle/Silent Auction

(Under 5 eat free!)

I'd love to see you there!

 

Thank you again for supporting my dreams!

 

Liv

 

 

 



Little Mouse, Big Cheese!

Hi Guys!

 

Look at these fun photos I ran across of me when I was in the Nutcracker!

I was just about 7 and was so excited to be part of such a magical show.

Actually, this was the first time I had ever been in a production/on a real stage.

 

 

I only lasted about one year in dance, before I couldn't take it anymore.

Now, I love dancing and wish I would have stuck with it.

Plus, it would have made things way easier for me now, considering I have to start from the beginning at an older age! ;)

 

 

 

 

Even if dance wasn't my forte at the time, I loved being on that stage!

 

Anyways...

Only 36 MORE DAYS until I'll be headed on my way to NYC! I can't believe it! It's crazy!

We'll be holding a fundraiser  on Thursday, June 27th at the Black Eagle Community Center

(2332 Smelter Ave. NE, Black Eagle).

$5 all you can eat Nacho Bar/Raffle/Silent Auction

(Under 5 eat free!)

 

I hope you can make it!

 

If you can't make it the fundraiser, but still would like to support me, you may donate at:

http://www.gofundme.com/2nw6mo

 

Thank you for all the support and make sure to keep checking up on the blog while i'm counting down the days to NYC!

 

Liv

 

 

 

 

 

The Beginning...

 

 Hey Guys!

Thanks for checking up on my (new) blog!

 

As you read in my letter, I am so excited to take a big step in

my journey of pursuing what I love to do. The opportunity I've been given

is incredible, and I'm so thankful that it's really happening for me.

With the school year coming closer to the end,  thoughts of NYC are filling my head!

I can't wait to hear it and see it all...

 

I'll be starting my adventure when I leave on July 13th

and will finally get to see the place I've been dreaming of for my entire life!

 

With this blog, you all will get to experience it with me, too!

 So make sure to keep checking back to see what's happening. 

I'll be sharing it all, from beginning to end.

From fundraising to what I'm learning.

 

I live in an incredible community and am surrounded by

a 'village' of such supportive people! I'm so lucky! 

With the support of my friends, family (and you), I am ready to take the leap,

go work hard, and get a taste of what being in the Theater profession is like!

 

Thanks for all your support.

 

Liv

 

(If you're interested in helping me out, here's the link to my Go Fund Me site!

http://www.gofundme.com/2nw6mo )