Page 133 - Phoenix2001-02

FEATURES Wednesday. April 10, 2002 - Page 9 Left: Have you checked au! the latest changes with Nasdaq? Shatah Gaddy is reading the Wall Street Journal in the "All About the Benjannns" scene. Below: Angie Chapman and James Jegede dance the night away in "A Night to Remember. " Top Left: Pull out your bell bottoms and let your hair go witdl Crystal Towns, Tia Lawrence and Latonia Haines lake it back in the day with the "Soul Train" scene. Bottom Left: Caleb Moore shows the true animal in him, working the runway i~ tht; opening.scene "Taking it Back." In-this scene all of the models came out in animal prints. JFSSICA WATSON messages from Tia Lawrence (co- don't look at that in a negative way Features EditQr show. when I couldn't see the crowd, ordinator) saying practices would because I was not the only one in Dear Journal, be everyday, from II p.m. untii this situation. When we noticed the On the day of the show, Satur- those who knew me were calling It's not everyday that you see whenever. All of the us were try- day, we did a dress rehearsal. Al- my name. A lot of my friends were it was like everyone came me in a fashion show, but on my ing to figure out how we were go- problem. to fix the problem. We all though I was still nervous, I noticed there, and I definitely appreciate all together way back to my room one night, a ing 10 fit that into our schedules, es- raided our closets and we made that the models were not even on of their support, even those who friend persuaded me to attend a pecially those of us who had that 8 sure everyone was covered. stage for that long. Yes. we still assisted me in finding my last out- practice session. Just attending a.m. class the following morning. Practice became more work worked the runway, but most of it fit. Everything worked like clock- aJone was way out of my comfort Regardless, we still did what we was running down to the dressing work. and before Ilrnew it, we were zone, but I am always open to new had to do during the day and re- than play, which I guess was ex- room and changing. It wasn't that lined up back stage for the final it got to be experiences. A lot of people judge hearsed throughout the night. For pected but sometimes was the occa- bad. Practice ran from 12 (0 3:30 scene. It all went by so quickly. There too much. models, saying that they think too p.m. and then we had a 1 1/2 hour We got out there and just had fun, highly of themselves or that they At first I had no idea what I was doing ...! had flashbacks of took our final bow, and then made are stuck up; I learned otherwise. our way off stage as the crowd At first I had no idea what I was "Miss Congeniality" running through my mind. cheered. Back in the dressing room doing; it's not like I wear high- we were all thanking God it was heels on a daily basis, so I was a most of the practices we were out sional miscommunication between finally over. I was relieved and bit uncomfortable. r had flashbacks by I a.m. Either way I was tired. the coordinators and the models, break. That time went by so fast! content. of "Miss Congeniality" running It was also very stressful the few which led to confusion. There were We were back on the set and in When leaving the theatre I re- through my mind. I remember one days before the show. We were fi- times when people were frustrated the dressing room at 5 p.m., once ceived several hugs and compli- of the coordinators, Alex Tonelli, nalizing the scenes, making last or tired and attitudes did fly. I tried again getting everything ready. Not ments. I was exhausted. Like I said showed me how to walk and minute changes for the better, and not to let all of that drama get to having much experience with earlier, r have never done a fash- worked with me until I got it right; trying to fix the problems. Models me. Plus, at the end of practice makeup besides my high school ion show before, but in the end I which gave me a more confidence. had to make time in their already everyone apologized for remarks prom, I felt a little lost. But Angie don't regret it. Plus r was surrounded by my busy schedules to go together to the that they made, and even up to the Chapman (model) did my eye I learned so much and I made friends and people that usually as- stores that were sponsoring us, and show, Kim Boykin's (coordinator) makeup and we all worked together so many new friends and associ- sociate with on a daily basis, so I some models weren't even finding to make sure that everyone was ok. ares. All of us share an experience Crys- easily forgot that I was learning much there. laughter kept us all at ease. was also That's when I really realized that that no. one else can ever under- (coordinator) tal Towns something new and started to open I was afraid that I was going to there with words of encouragement some people have the wrong im- stand, an experience that we will up and have fun. be forced to wear something that I and was a shoulder to lean on. pression about models, because in keep with us forever. My friend LaShawn Eley didn't like, but Tia and Deshawn that dressing room we were all a Practice and preparation had its The models (model), worked with me after McNeil (coordinator) told me that ive of each other. were very support- family and working together to- ups and downs, but I personally If I left practice practices on my walk and my turns. I wouldn't have to wear anything frustrated, I never went to bed that wards one goal. think that the show was a success. We basically turned the G-floor that I wasn't comfortable in. That way. I stayed up late one night with We prayed in a circle while and I just wanted to thank the coordi- hallway of Whiteford Hall into a put my mind at ease because I'm Arnelle Quashie (model) and we before I knew it, it was time to get nators, the models, the backstage runway. And again it was a lot of very conservative. just let all of the aggravation out, out there on stage and start the helpers and my friends for all the fun. In the beginning we were only I was also stressing because I which was fueled from balancing show. After the first couple of love and the support. Oh yes, I practicing once a week, but as the was one outfit short for the show modeling and school. Talking scenes I lost my insecurities. It felt definitely look forward to doing show time approached that and I didn'tlrnow what to do. Iwill really good to be out on stage; even this again next year! changed drastically. admit that I did have to shop in the about my situation made me feel a Share your personal experiences in lot better about myself and gave me 1 remember getting the phone closets of a couple friends, but I a renewed passion to complete the I'IItlllral. CoJI exI. 8600 for more doaIIs.