The Reefer Madness show went up on 4/20 and was reprised on 4/21 but sadly I was not a part of it. For personal reasons I was forced to drop out which is something I have never done before in my life. I still very upset about it but I know I must get over it and move on. I must learn from my experience and just not make a habit of bowing out of shows. Of course, two years ago when I was in the Rocky Horror Show, I experienced another first - I let an illness keep me from performing the second week of the show. I came down with a horrible case of the Swine Flu and couldn't move off the couch for a week and two days. I had a horrible rash from my constant habitation of the couch and I didn't even realize it until I came back from the final performance on Halloween and a fellow cast member said something (she did it in a way that sounded catty and made me feel really uncomfortable but oh well).
I recently turned down an offer to be in the ensemble for the show "Annie" and I also feel bad about that. I put down on my application that I would accept any role and then changed my mind before I was contacted by the director. Not a good thing to do but I couldn't change how I felt and explained to the director as best I could that while I was extremely flattered to be asked to be part of his production, I wanted to try my luck at a few other auditions. I apologized a few times in the email, hoping that he would understand or at least forgive me in time. He said in reply that he was disappointed but that he understood. I hope he does.
In other news, I was just signed by a talent agency in St. Louis - Now Talent - and I have a really good feeling about it. I had the orientation meeting last weekend and have a lot of things to do. It's a non-exclusive agency and they're very down to earth and reasonable.
Also, the video I was in (Pokemon Pals) on Youtube has gotten over 5,000 views - I'm pretty happy about this even though I'm not much of a fan of the actual video.
It was a fun experience though I understand now why celebrities more than likely don't frequent online message boards or read gossip/comments about them. Some of the viewers left comments that made me realize I need thicker skin.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch just did an article on the BlackBookBerry series that I was cast in. I'm extremely happy and excited.
IT guys reboot comedy with 'BlackBookBerry'
March 26, 2011--- Left, Elizabeth Graveman performs an improvisation routine as she tries out for the fourth season of BlackBookBerry a St. Louis comedy troupe which acts out office-themed sketches for an online show. The show is casting four new roles. Also pictured are cast members Heather Schlitt, center, and Mary Schnure, right. Emily Rasinski erasinski@post-dispatch.com
"Elizabeth Graveman, 24, seemed to win over the room right away when the Lindenwood University acting grad spoke about her fondness for the Marx Brothers, Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges. Her monologue — Diane from "Cheers" — was flawless, and her scene-reading had some laugh-out-loud moments. She sealed the deal with her response to Briggs' inquiry about whether she had any comedic limits. "Comedy is comedy," Graveman said. "I'm not afraid of touching people. I don't have a problem saying anything."
Several days later, Jennings and Graveman accepted invitations to join the "BlackBookBerry" cast.
Now if only my day job could be better...
I will also be attending my first Arts for Life Awards Banquet in the next month. Grand Hotel: The Musical was nominated for "Large Ensemble." Ryan was nominated for his character in "Grand Hotel" (Otto Kringelein) as well as his character in "The Producers" (Carmen Ghia).
While I wasn't nominated for my character, I had a really good time with the show and stepping into a role that the almighty Garbo had played. I'm just happy to cheer on everyone else.
Elizaveta Grushinskaya & Baron Felix von Gaigern
In my spare time, I'm in need of spring/summer clothes so I will be making the rounds at various Goodwills and other cheap stores where you can find amazing things. I must also make plans to go through my closet and keep what I wear and donate what I don't because the hangers are lining the closet, wall to wall but I don't wear a lot of those things. Plus, I'm tired of wearing the same old dresses when I go out on dates with Ryan. I love getting dressed up for him but I'm having a hard time getting excited about it since I wear the same dresses over and over again and he says he was just joking but he made a comment about how he doesn't like me in jeans. So, I try to stick to dresses.
Here's hoping my summer is packed with good theatre, good friends and great feelings.
