After a Month-Long Break... otter chaos.

Hey everyone!

It's been a long while since I last posted - I took a break in January to focus on acting in La Ronde here at Virginia Tech. I am blessed to work with a fantastic cast - come see it! It runs through February 11, at 730 every night!

Besides that, my last semester at VT has started off well. My class schedule is relatively challenging, but easy to get through. I'm applying to law schools and jobs. Oh, and occasionally I have a social life.

Really, this semester thus far has been about figuring out the rest of my life. I'm on the brink of the 'real world,' as they call it... and I have no idea where I'll be a year or even six months from now. Should I be nervous? Sure. But I think I'll be ok.

I tend to revel in this kind of chaos. Otter chaos.

The Secret to Success

Hey everyone! It's been a very long time since I last posted.

What's happened? Let's see:

I took the LSAT's again - hope to hear back soon about whether that expensive process payed off this time. Last time I did well, but I really want to improve.

I was cast in La Ronde, a show going up at Tech in February, as the Count. I think it's going to be a great show! Remember that other show I was in? "Almost, Maine"? La Ronde is like that, only German and sexy.

I also went to the ACC Championship with Mary - it was a good trip, despite the loss to Clemson. BUT VT IS SUGAR BOWL BOUND!

There was another tragedy at Virginia Tech. A shooter killed a police officer during a routine traffic stop, and then went on to take his own life. The officer was Officer Crouse. He leaves 5 children and a wife behind him. The shooter was a Radford student, who had committed armed robbery several hours before. Responses to the shooting have ranged from sympathetic to Virginia Tech students, to incredulity that this happened at Virginia Tech. All I have to say is: We are Hokie Strong, We are Hokie Proud. Virginia Tech is a family, and we stick together.

The following Sunday (the 11th of December) I turned 21! Happy Birthday to me!

After that? I wrote 3 papers, took two exams, and am now home! My buddy Cody Oher is staying the weekend because he's in Spielberg's Lincoln in Petersburg, so it's good to see him!

And without further ado, the secret to success: (a swift kick)

Harry Potter... as a Teen Comedy.

Hey everybody!

Classes for next semester have been posted. For the first time ever, I'll finally have a class with my lovely leading lady, Mary. (VT Theatre - can you guess what it is?)

So it's official - people are throwing VT around as a possible national championship contender in the BCS. This is cool. Hope we live up to our hype...

By the way... Words With Friends is very addicting. I need to go do something to get away from it... except it's on my phone, which I can't very well leave behind, can I? oops. Maybe I should go see a movie. Anyone have any good suggestions? Leave a comment below!

But seriously, the reason you clicked here was to see Harry Potter as a teen comedy. This is genius.

The Layover

Hey everyone!

So, Thanksgiving break is upon us. Next weekend Virginia Tech and UVA play for the Coastal Division title, the opportunity to play in the ACC Championship, and a shot at the Orange Bowl.

No big deal, right?

After a long November, it's time to lay back, relax, and eat some turkey. Oh, and memorize lines for VT's Theatre Showcase. And get props for Suburbia. So, essentially, let's get going again.

But seeing my folks again is fantastic. They really support me.

Normally, this is part where I drop a cool/cute/fun/lame video for your viewing pleasure. Instead, I give you 21 free songs, courtesy of Mike Posner.

PRESENTING: The Layover.

Did That Rhino Just Order A Drink?

Hey everyone!

Well, auditions for next semester's VT Theatre Department plays Servant of Two Masters and La Ronde are coming up. I'm excited! Being in either show would be great experience.

Also, this week was a pretty bad shakeup in College Football. Clemson was almost beaten, Boise State was beaten, and Stanford was beaten badly... all of which mean the Hokies profit, as we beat Georgia Tech on Thursday! GO HOKIES!

This Thursday is my last Thursday night game as a student here at VT... which is ironic because it's also my first, as I've had a show each of the past times we had a Thursday night game. Needless to say, I'm excited.

I found this clip while surfing the net today - it brought some smiles to my face.

Party In The U.S.A.

Hey everyone!

It's been a crazy week and a half since I last updated. Miss me? Probably not. Hope so, though.

Here at VT Theatre we just had auditions for Glass Menagerie - break legs to all those who auditioned! I think it's going to be great (directed by Bob McGrath). Meanwhile, VT's Twelfth Night is currently running, and it such a fantastic show. Come see it! I'll probably be there - I plan on going multiple times.

This year really has been a great year for theatre here at VT. Our shows thus far ('This,' 'Almost, Maine,' and 'Twelfth Night') have all been home runs. I expect that B Cast entertainment's Suburbia will be another hit show (it goes up in December).

Sometimes work can get very exhausting. This is what happens when it does:

Mike Posner at Virginia Tech

Just got back from the concert. Must write a blog about it.

So, it was pouring rain when I got there. Mary and I had to run through it, and by the time we got through the doors we were completely soaked. My buddy Rankin joined us shortly thereafter and we went in.

DJ Rhetorik was on the turntables, and my friends Kelly and Spencer were already at their seats. Rhetorik spun some great warm-up beats, and then Travis Porter Music Group (TPMG) came out and started their set. They rapped over their own music, which was kinda weird, but then again, they freestyled over some of their hits, which was great. TPMG was great. They handed out their new mixtape to the audience during the set.

Then, Mike Posner.

He walks on to incredible lights and his Brain Trust producing music behind him. Keyboard, synth, piano, drums, and turntables. Bass is pumping. I'm jumping, 1st row. The whole place is going crazy.

Mike sang a lot of his hits, and he always kept coming back to my side of the stage, looking at me, and grinning. He's a really engaging performer! He played a cover of Oasis' Wonderwall, Ginuwine's Pony, and Adele's Rolling in the Deep. He also played a teaser of one of his songs off his new mixtape (The Layover, dropping November 20th).

He left stage after his set, and then came back once we started chanting "POSNER!" to play "Cooler Than Me". As soon as that was done, he looked at me, jumped off the stage, and ran a beeline to me to give me a bearhug. He said "Thank you" as the crowd mobbed him and kept grinning at me in that bearhug. IT WAS AWESOME. He literally had jumped off stage and ran to me, because I'd been there in it the whole time. Such a cool guy.

After the show, Mary and I met up with Rankin, Spencer, Kelly, and another friend Dylan and ran to where we could see the tour buses. Henry Strange (a member of the Brain Trust) came out first as we waited (IT WAS COLD). He signed my Mike Posner shirt, which I had bought before the show. We waited around for almost 2 hours, and finally Mike came out. He walked up and said to the little group of people there that he was going to say hello to everyone individually. When he got around to me, he came up and gave me another bearhug and said "HEY MAN!" and we talked for a bit. I reminded him my name was Noah Downs, and he said he kind of remembered me and that he remembered tweeting me a few days before. Then I got a few pictures with him and he signed my shirt and ticket. He told me I had been his anchor during the show and that I was one of the reasons the whole show was so great. It was a great moment for me, personally. Then we got a group picture with him, he listened to my remix of "Cooler Than Me" and loved it, and then said to send him stuff.

Mike Posner made my day. I couldn't be happier right now. Go see him live.

Mike Posner at Virginia Tech

Just got back from the concert. Must write a blog about it.

So, it was pouring rain when I got there. Mary and I had to run through it, and by the time we got through the doors we were completely soaked. My buddy Rankin joined us shortly thereafter and we went in.

DJ Rhetorik was on the turntables, and my friends Kelly and Spencer were already at their seats. Rhetorik spun some great warm-up beats, and then Travis Porter Music Group (TPMG) came out and started their set. They rapped over their own music, which was kinda weird, but then again, they freestyled over some of their hits, which was great. TPMG was great. They handed out their new mixtape to the audience during the set.

Then, Mike Posner.

He walks on to incredible lights and his Brain Trust producing music behind him. Keyboard, synth, piano, drums, and turntables. Bass is pumping. I'm jumping, 1st row. The whole place is going crazy.

Mike sang a lot of his hits, and he always kept coming back to my side of the stage, looking at me, and grinning. He's a really engaging performer! He played a cover of Oasis' Wonderwall, Ginuwine's Pony, and Adele's Rolling in the Deep. He also played a teaser of one of his songs off his new mixtape (The Layover, dropping November 20th).

He left stage after his set, and then came back once we started chanting "POSNER!" to play "Cooler Than Me". As soon as that was done, he looked at me, jumped off the stage, and ran a beeline to me to give me a bearhug. He said "Thank you" as the crowd mobbed him and kept grinning at me in that bearhug. IT WAS AWESOME. He literally had jumped off stage and ran to me, because I'd been there in it the whole time. Such a cool guy.

After the show, Mary and I met up with Rankin, Spencer, Kelly, and another friend Dylan and ran to where we could see the tour buses. Henry Strange (a member of the Brain Trust) came out first as we waited (IT WAS COLD). He signed my Mike Posner shirt, which I had bought before the show. We waited around for almost 2 hours, and finally Mike came out. He walked up and said to the little group of people there that he was going to say hello to everyone individually. When he got around to me, he came up and gave me another bearhug and said "HEY MAN!" and we talked for a bit. I reminded him my name was Noah Downs, and he said he kind of remembered me and that he remembered tweeting me a few days before. Then I got a few pictures with him and he signed my shirt and ticket. He told me I had been his anchor during the show and that I was one of the reasons the whole show was so great. It was a great moment for me, personally. Then we got a group picture with him, he listened to my remix of "Cooler Than Me" and loved it, and then said to send him stuff.

Mike Posner made my day. I couldn't be happier right now. Go see him live.

Puppies The Size of Soda Cans / MIKE POSNER

Hey all!

So, as promised, here is the link to PUPPIES THE SIZE OF SODA CANS. Get a towel - the cuteness will likely turn your brains to mush.

In other news, Almost, Maine is over, and I feel as though I was extremely privileged to be a part of that fantastic cast. The show that the ensemble built was incredible, and the friendships we solidified will stick around forever. Almost, Maine - I miss you.

As for what I'm doing now - Running around from meeting to meeting like a chicken with its head cut off. Wonderful image, eh? I'll get some downtime soon... after Virginia Theatre Auditions are done at the end of this month. Rest will come then.

TODAY, Mike Posner comes to Virginia Tech.

Here is one of his songs.



Music video by: me.

Almost, Maine

What a weekend.

Today is the opening of Almost, Maine by John Cariani, and I couldn't be more excited. This show is going to be fantastic. Go see it.

We've worked hard for the past 6 weeks and after a long tech weekend, we're ready for you to come see us play onstage. For FREE. So you don't have much of an excuse to not come.

Monday-Saturday, 7:30 pm, Free, T101 Theatre in Downtown Blacksburg, Virginia. Get there a little early to guarantee seating... especially if you come Saturday. Saturday will be packed.

In other news, VIRGINIA TECH BEAT MIAMI 38-35. What a game. It was down to the wire, with Logan Thomas personally rushing in the final touchdown to put us ahead, and then a stellar show by the defense to stop Miami in the last minute. David Wilson had some phenomenal runs as well. Go watch the highlights - you'll be there a while.

In the meantime, here's a story that I think is beautiful. This 29 year old woman was born deaf, and received cochlear implants - and this video is her hearing her own voice for the first time.

Ain't it cool?

Sometimes, You Just Don't Know What She's Talking About (MANSLATOR)

Hey there, everyone!

Well, it's a new month. And the LSAT's are over. And VT had a minor setback with Clemson. But that's ok - there's a whole season ahead.

Almost, Maine is progressing beautifully. This show is going to be absolutely STUNNING. The cast has created a community that has its own inner workings, problems, sorrows, joys, and celebrations. I think you, as the audience, will truly connect with the show. You might even be tempted to come back for more!

As I was leaving the VT/Clemson game on Saturday, I was approached by this glum-looking guy who offered me $6 to give him a ride home. As it turned out, he lived close to me, so I accepted. I asked him why he needed a ride back, and the response I got was "My ride broke up with me during the game today."

So basically, this guy lost his girl and then the Hokies lost. He was having a bad day. On the ride home, the whole story poured out - she was upset because apparently he just didn't understand her, and she felt he wasn't responding to her. It was essentially a breakdown of communication in the relationship. However, he said that she wanted to talk the day after, and they might get back together.

I hope they did.

But, if only he had one of these:

You Like Skrillex? I like Skrillex.

Fun weekend - VT Hokies beat Marshall 30-10, which was pretty dang awesome. Looking ahead to Clemson this coming week. Go Hokies!

Went to see Moneyball (you know, that baseball movie about the Oakland A's starring Brad Pitt?) I loved it - it was a great movie, to be sure. Best this year? Maybe. Go see it and let me know what you think.

We had our first read-through for subUrbia (Bogosian) yesterday - I'm props. The show is showing incredible potential just from the first read. I think this cast will blow you away - look for a location TBA for the performances in December.

The VT Theatre and Cinema department's production of This is a fantastic show and if you haven't seen it, go do that. NOW. You got about a week left.

But, I have the LSAT's before the Clemson game Saturday... this video expresses my feelings towards it.

Plus Skrillex is awesome

Ian McKellen and Fresh Prince?

Hey there everybody!

So this week marks the end of a bunch of exams put forth by my professors in order to let me know whether I need to drop their class. Feedback is nice, professors, but I do not appreciate 2 solid weeks of exams.

Fortunately, I do not need to drop any classes. Go me.

I'm trying to make time to hang out with all my friends, now that the cramming period is over. Who wants to watch The Shining with me? (I've never seen it...)

Or we could watch Lord of the Rings. I'm kinda feeling that after this video.

JEDI KITTENS

Hey there everybody.

What a week. Auditions are all wrapped up, Almost, Maine rehearsals are in full swing, tests are starting to be the death of me, and in-class scenes are popping up everywhere. It's getting busy, but it's also fun. Second home game this weekend - Arkansas St. comes here to VT. GO HOKIES.

My scene partners in Almost, Maine are brilliant - two people I've really wanted to work with. I feel as though the two scenes (Getting It Back and Where It Went) will not disappoint - nor will any part of the show. It's a fantastic ensemble and I feel privileged to be a part of it.

Virginia Tech's production of Melissa James Gibson's This (directed by Susanna Rineheart)opens September 21st in Studio Theatre - make sure you go see it! I heard it's going to be a fantastic show.

Oh, and as promised - here are the Jedi Kittens.

Getting Blown Over

First set of audition weeks for fall semester is over. I'm working on a few productions, and I may be submitting a ten-minute play to direct. But for now, I really need to lock down and focus on what I have - including insane amounts of classwork.

I have a test in Political Communication tomorrow, which I'm not ready for... a scene to perform in stage combat today which I need to rehearse some more... yah, it's time to lock down.

But hey! If you're at VT, make sure you go see "This" in Studio Theatre. It will be one of my only forms of entertainment for the next two weeks.

Early Crew

What a weekend. Had an early-morning tailgating experience (Props to Sammi and the rest of the early crew - we love getting there at 5:30!) and a fantastic game (see below). Then we went to The Homeplace Restaurant on Saturday and stuffed ourselves, like good Theatre majors. I really didn't want classes this week to start. But about the game:

Virginia Tech beat Appalachian State 66-13 Saturday. GO HOKIES. Everyone played so well - I'm excited for the rest of this season. This Saturday was one of the hottest games I've ever stood through though. However, once I got inside, I was able to beat the heat. But this puppy knows how to do it better:

New Semesters

I have officially moved into my new apartment at Virginia Tech - it looks awesome, and I couldn't have moved in here without the help of my mother, father, girlfriend, and friends. Thanks, y'all.

Next week classes begin, so this is the calm before the storm. However, there are several things I look forward to this semester.

History of Drama and Theatre: I am actually kind of a history buff (I get this from my parents, especially my dad) so I'm looking forward to HODAT... you may call me crazy.

Violent Political Change: Enough said

Acting Topic: Stage Combat (Unarmed SPT): I'll be furthering my stage combat knowledge this semester, and hopefully will be declared proficient in unarmed stage combat. This class should be very exciting.

Acting Topic: Shakespeare: This class, taught by an amazing teacher, will delve into acting techniques for performing Shakespeare's works. This is the class I most look forward to, as I am a Shakespeare NUT.

Combat, Violent Political Change, A little (fake) history, and Shakespeare all come together to form this glorious thing (shared with me by my good friend Alexis):