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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Oct 31, 2017 23:17:37 GMT -5
Greyson had only done this once before. He normally stayed very far away from the Broadway theatres, performance wise at least; he had never been an amazing singer and his emotion came out through his dance rather than real acting. But, no matter his avoidance of those famous stages, the worlds intermixed more than most seemed to comprehend. He had many friends who swapped between dance companies, Broadway ensembles, and anything else they could get their hands on as long as it kept them dancing. It was also a popular career choice once a dancer retired; becoming a ballet master or choreographer was a common pursuit for many once they left New York City Ballet.
It was how Greyson found himself entering an unfamiliar stage door and signing in on a Broadway cast list rather than the one he had grown so used to at the Company. He was friends with the choreographer for the show; had gone through the horrible trials of being in the corps together with the guy while he had still been at the Company before a tragic injury had forced him into a different job path. An injury in their dance ensemble had caused an emergency need for a replacement and Greyson, being the generous soul he was, had offered to help for a few weeks until a better (and different dancer who didn’t have a contract with one of the best ballet companies in the world) could be found. It was only a coincidence that the show just so happened to be the one Audrey was starring in. If anything, that had only made him jump even quicker at the opportunity. Usually, Greyson would have shied away from anything that would take him from his “real” job for a while, but Audrey had stolen his heart and anything involving her made his common sense fly out the window.
Greyson had been in the theatre once or twice, but it was still strange for him to be somewhere new. He met the choreographer at the door and easily found himself settling in to his temporary mirror in the shared ensemble dressing room. After some chat and reviewing of the choreography Greyson was sure he’d pick up on easily enough, it was time to join his castmates for the next few weeks. Dropping his dance bag, he was led down to the main stage where apparently the rest of the cast was warming up for the day. His heart did a little flutter knowing Audrey would be among them.
He hadn’t told her on purpose; it had been a quick decision, one of those impulse moments, and one Greyson had had to do some sweet talking with his Company bosses in order to bring to life. It had been uncertain if it would go through, and he hadn’t wanted to get Audrey’s hopes up. When in their lives would they ever get to share a stage together? They were both performers but ones who ran in two separate spheres; overlap like this did not come around often and he wanted it to be special now that their once in a lifetime chance was coming true.
Greyson walked on to the stage beside his choreographer friend, casually sipping on a coffee with a water bottle in his other hand. He wasn’t sure how this would all work on Broadway, but he assumed it would be similar to the way things ran at Lincoln Center, just with a lot more singing and a lot less tutus. His eyes immediately scanned the crowd of actors and actresses, looking for a familiar pair of bright blue eyes that still made his stomach flip from how beautiful they were.
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 618! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Nov 23, 2017 16:51:42 GMT -5
Audrey did her best to befriend as much of the cast as was humanly possible. She knew it wasn’t practically to get to know every single person in every single show. There wasn’t enough time for it, and there especially wasn’t enough time to keep in touch with them all when everyone began moving on to bigger and better things. Beyond that, she understood that not everyone would like her, and she wouldn’t want to be around everybody else either. The world didn’t work like that. It wasn’t as peaceful or as harmonic as many of the musicals suggested by the time the cast took their final curtain call and began the relieving process of stripping away their characters for another night. Still, Audrey didn’t want to be seen as another diva who looked down her nose as those who worked the chorus line, or who only spoke a few lines in one pivotal scene because someone else had a cold that week. She had been at the bottom. She knew what it was like to be crushed under some designer shoe because she wasn’t the leading actress. She wasn’t about to make someone else feel that small. She would only ever be words of encouragement and support, foolish jokes, and spaced out moments that provided everyone else with something to laugh at; typically those moments were at her expense, too.
Audrey understood how hard it was to get to her cosy dressing room, with space to stretch out before a performance and have that quiet time to think. When she had been crammed into a room full of chorus girls and extras it had been chaotic at best and there was forever a busted zip to deal with or someone who had forgotten their lipstick. The pandemonium was endless, and Audrey didn’t miss it for one minute. She would never forget it though. Some days it would be totally unbearable, and everything inside of her would demand to know why she was still doing this when another girl had just stolen her water, or someone else was taking up all of her space because of some domino effect down the line. It was worth it to see it through. Not everyone lasted, and Audrey didn’t blame anyone who dropped out from the Broadway world to direct or teach, or even change profession entirely. It was endless and tiring, but all of that faded away for Audrey the second she stepped out onto the stage and took on a different personality and began to channel someone else’s story.
She was taking this morning easy. It was an easy rehearsal for her, but they were working with a new actress who would be replacing someone else in a few weeks when the role switched out. Mostly the director was working with her, and Audrey was only needed for running lines and songs. She had stepped up to prepare for a quick dormitory scene, when her eyes danced across the stage. She froze. For a second she thought she had seen - No. It couldn’t be. Could it? Her partner delivered her line, but Audrey missed her cue because she was too busy spinning around to look through the crowd again. This time she knew her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her, and the voice of the director questioning her was missed completely as she stalked away from the quiet rehearsal. “Greyson?! What in the name of hell are you doing here?” She demanded loudly, but the smile grew wider across her face.
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TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 717! OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty! LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Nov 27, 2017 23:45:57 GMT -5
Greyson had worked for most of his life in order to achieve his status as a Principal dancer. Dancers didn’t get to start late, like some other professions; they started from the time they could walk, going to dance classes nearly as often as academic ones and entirely devoting themselves to a craft that took years to develop. It took countless hours of rehearsal in order to hone the posture and create the lines that made ballet an art, and one that Greyson was still amazed to be a part of. It had not been an easy road, as his blistered feet and aching limbs could attest to, and he knew his career took a large physical toll on his body that he tried so hard to keep at bay. But, he had fought for his place at the top and he was not going to give it all up so easily now that he finally had the job he had dreamed about for so long.
However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t take a short hiatus in order to brush off his rusty Broadway skills. He was still in rehearsals for the Company; he spent mornings there, going over the choreography for the repertoire shows that usually ran during summer months. The routines rarely changed and Greyson could perform them in his sleep, but he needed to keep his feet sharp to jump smoothly into those shows once he returned from his little vacation. At least, that’s what he was considering this trip to Broadway; it was a vacation from his usual chaos of Company work. Truthfully, he was going to be working harder than ever before as he balanced a reduced Company schedule with that of a full-time, temporary Broadway one.
But it would be worth every lost hour of sleep. He had been trying his best to woo Audrey, and he’d thought he’d been doing a pretty decent job at it. He loved surprising her with flowers in her dressing room, or popping up as an escort home from Stage Door after they’d both completed their shows. Seeing her smile and getting her to laugh with his ridiculous stories of drama queen ballerinas had quickly become his favorite pastime, and he couldn’t help but miss her bright energy when they were apart. And, as if he wasn’t already head over heels for her, his dogs loved her just as much, which truly won over the dancer’s heart. This surprise was only his latest antic in winning Audrey’s heart. It was a bit extreme, yes, but it was an opportunity that Greyson just couldn’t pass up.
As his eyes landed on Audrey, he couldn’t keep the grin off his lips. He loved watching her perform and he was looking forward to experiencing that magic on-stage right beside her; it was a treat he knew he’d cherish for a long time. When the shorter brunette walked over to him, he had to fight the urge to reach down and kiss her in a usual greeting, not knowing how fond of PDA she’d be in front of her castmates now that he’d officially be joining those ranks. "It seems I’ve found myself in Oz for the time being,” he joked with a playful smirk and a wink. "I’m playing hooky from the Company for a couple weeks until this one here,” he said, nodding to his choreographer friend who just rolled his eyes in return, "can find a replacement swing. Apparently, they’re pretty scarce this time of year and can only be found in a ballet company.” His smile softening, he added, "Looks like we’ll be spending plenty of time together, Elphaba.”
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 615! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Dec 26, 2017 12:44:11 GMT -5
Audrey had the energy necessary to own a stage. She wasn’t prone to bouts of exhaustion after a long day of choreography or singing. She could get through her shows without feeling the strain too badly. As a little girl she had been a rocket ship. This cosmic craft of wild energy that could burn bright as it came up on anyone’s radar, becoming bigger and bigger as it got closer. Eventually, she crashed, cooled off and recovered, but she was always ready for the next daunting challenge, taking it on like it was a piece of cake. Audrey’s nerves were something she interpreted as excitement, no matter how many times her parents warned her against it. They told her that one day it would end it disappointment and pain, but she wasn’t afraid of a scraped knee or having to pick herself up to try again. Her ambition and determination had driven her this far, and without those elements to her personality she never would have found herself on Broadway.
If her life had been different, had she been pushed down a different path instead, Audrey didn’t know how New York might have looked to her now. She didn’t doubt that it would be the city she called home, but she did wonder if she would see it in so many vibrant colours as she did now. Would she see the bright lights and stars of promise that shone every night on her way home? Or would it be a metropolitan of skyscrapers and shades of grey, where every morning was an office commute and phones and meetings dictated her life rather than the music and the movement that carried her across the stage now. She could be an innocent maid one month and then in rehearsals for a flirtatious flapper girl the next. Stepping into someone else’s skin gave Audrey life. It allowed her to take her daydreams from her mind and actually live them out for other people to see. Her characters – however minor their roles – got entire biographies about why they were there, how they came to be, and who had made them into the people they were. She took direction and expanded on it, breathing life into a scripted person far beyond what had been given to her when the cast list was first assigned. The bigger the role, the more she embraced making it her own. More of herself was pushed into it, and at the same time, the more she lost reality and chased this wonderful imaginary life that she got to live for a few short hours while an audience laughed, cried and gasped with her.
She looked up at Greyson, her bright blue eyes sparkling with delight. “Funny; I didn’t think New York was prone to tornadoes this time of year.” She joked quietly, but her lips were already moving upwards to reveal a happy grin. She was definitely surprised to see him there, but Audrey knew that she needed to hold herself back from jumping all over him. This was where she worked, and as fun as it was, she was expected to be reliable or else she could be replaced sooner rather than later. In this career reputation carried a great deal of weight, and she had been very lucky not to tarnish hers so far. “Well then, I guess a wicked witch can’t complain about spending more time with her favourite man.” She kept her flirtatious voice low and quiet, so that only Greyson could hear her words. She wasn’t afraid to show how she felt about him, but at the same time, Audrey enjoyed having something that was just theirs and not overtly flaunted for the whole world to see. Or, in this case, the whole of Broadway and its gossips.
• • •
TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 638! OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty! LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Jan 21, 2018 23:21:25 GMT -5
They existed in a professional field that was unlike normal ones. Normal people didn’t have fans following their every move; they didn’t have people lining up at stage door or stalking their social media accounts. But artists were far from normal, especially those that were lucky enough to make a name for themselves in one of the greatest cities in the world, and Greyson could truly say he was glad to be very far away from a typical desk job. He still found the small bit of fame awkward sometimes and, while he wasn’t the next One Direction boy, he still couldn’t believe that people actually stayed after a show to see him. It was odd to see his online followers growing or see fan art that came so painstakingly labored over by a fan. It made his job all the more special knowing that people were enjoying watching him pour his heart out on stage.
That being said, he knew how important reputations were and how easily they could crumble when placed in the spotlight. He also knew that it could play a large role in this relationship he had worked so hard to form with Audrey. They were not normal people who could quietly date without anyone really noticing; they had fans who noticed when Greyson showed up at stage door most nights, carrying a New York Ballet bag over his shoulder and whisking the leading lady away. It was inevitable that people would see them together and assume things and, while Greyson would never try to hide his relationship with her, he also didn’t know how ready they were to face the world together. It was still relatively new, though they had known each other for years now, but he didn’t want to spoil the simple love he believed was growing between them. He didn’t want anything to interfere with how much he adored his rambling, beautiful little actress.
Seeing the smile on her face was enough to keep him grinning for the rest of the week. Greyson loved seeing that sparkle in her eye and knowing it was just for him. "If you do enough pirouettes, you can strike up quite a breeze, you know,” he retorted, smirk playing on his lips as he gripped his coffee cup tighter, fighting the urge to reach down and tilt her chin up so he could kiss her. God, he wanted to kiss her.
Watching as the people around them seemed to ignore the lovestruck couple in the middle of the stage and busy themselves with something more important, Greyson couldn’t help his gaze from going to the set of this intricate performance. His light eyes turned away from Audrey only to take in the immensity of the scenery around them as he eventually came to look out on the empty theatre. He had scene the show countless times from out there, sitting in a chair and admiring the work of the woman he was so proud to call his. But, now, he stood on the stage beside her and he suddenly realized just how massive this theatre truly was. Quietly, Greyson turned his eyes back to Audrey and said, "It’s still just a stage, but this feels so much different.” He shook off his sentimental thoughts, the fire coming back into his eyes as he teased, "Throw on a tutu, why don’t you, and make me feel more comfortable! I’m not used to all strange costumes that actually cover people’s bodies.”
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 586! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Jan 28, 2018 19:57:37 GMT -5
Audrey lived her life just like anyone else. Most of the time when she was out and about she was completely undisturbed. It was often only around Broadway that people recognised her, when she was coming out of rehearsals or before and after a performance. She didn’t mind taking some time for photos and autographs, but at the same time it was strange to do it if she didn’t still have the buzz from a show. It was odd on the very rare occasions when a fan of the stage picked her out of a crowd when she was doing a grocery run. She didn’t consider herself in the least bit famous, even if her name was printed in a glossy programme, or on posters and billboards for the shows. Audrey was just doing a job she loved more than any other, and she was still shocked when a post on social media garnered so many likes and replies. In her mind she was still just expecting the few likes from family and the years old in jokes from her closest friends.
It was a strange sensation, being with Greyson and feeling people watch as they left the crowds at the stage door. Typically, the actors left alone or in the group they were performing with. It wasn’t common for them to be whisked away by someone they knew. No one had said anything aside from a few of her friends in the cast, but Audrey was still sure she felt a blush rising slightly when she leaned into his side and they strolled away into the quiet of the night. Those moments were the most perfect. Audrey loved it when the chaos of the days melted away and left just the two of them. Julliard often had the magic to seem like it was only yesterday and at the same time appear to be a lifetime ago. Audrey wished there had been chances to stop time back then and talk to people in more than just passing. Greyson was always a friendly face, but they were moving in different directions, only briefly passing by for short moments. She had her fingers crossed now that everything would be different. The optimist in her believed that the fates wouldn’t bring them together again only to tear them apart soon – if at all.
She chuckled and tilted her head from side to side as though she was truly thinking about it. “I do remember feeling shivers the last time I watched you.” Audrey didn’t get to make it to many of Greyson’s performances because of her own packed schedule, but she had managed a few, and she was beyond proud of what he was capable of. She had spent the entire time he was on stage with a smile on her face, wishing she could toss etiquette out of the window and curl up in her seat to enjoy him in his element.
Audrey followed Greyson’s gaze across the near empty theatre, tucking her hair behind her ear. It was an intimidating space both vacant of bodies and full to capacity. She smiled reassuringly at her handsome dancer and tapped her toe against the stage. For a brief moment she contemplated the vast space again. “I don’t think you ever get totally used to it.” She said in a near whisper. Her eyes flicked back to Greyson, her smile tugging up as she slid a little closer. “Sometimes I still feel sick with nerves.” She admitted, not ashamed to say that she was still intimidated from time to time of performing in front of a sea of people. Laughing now, she thought back through the wardrobe of costumes she had worn throughout her career. Audrey had been everything and anything since graduating. “You missed my Chicago stint.” She joked. Glancing around, she quickly turned coy, hiding behind her long hair to be playful and teasing. “Then again, you have no idea what I’m wearing underneath that floor length dress robe.” It was bold to say around other people, but Audrey couldn’t help herself. It was one of those thoughts that as soon as it popped into her head simply had to be spoken.
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TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 711! OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty! LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Feb 14, 2018 20:39:06 GMT -5
It had been a pleasure getting to know Audrey all over again. He had enjoyed their time in Julliard, but it had been so fleeting and quick that Greyson felt like he had never really known her back then. Now, laughing with her and joking about little things they had found in common, he felt like he was rediscovering her all over again. His favorite nights were the ones they got to spend together, sneaking off to midnight diners after shows and enjoying the quiet hours they got to spend together. He liked having her wrapped beneath his arm, tucked comfortably in his New York Ballet zip-up and glowing with the post-show adrenaline that only performers got to experience. It made her eyes sparkle and he loved seeing her smile light up as she recalled the show from that night, even if it was the same as every other night. With live performances it was always new and exciting, though the costumes and lines may have remained the same, and he knew he’d never get tired of listening to Audrey talk about them.
Greyson had performed in many places since graduating Julliard, but he always came home to New York. It wasn’t uncommon to teach master classes or appear as a guest in other companies during New York’s off-season, and he liked to stay busy. Performing kept him in shape, even if it wasn’t his usual stage, and he thrived off the opening sounds of the orchestra tuning their instruments as the audience fluttered with anticipation. He still got nervous for the second before the curtain came up, during that brief moment when everyone was holding their breath as they let themselves fall into character, giving themselves over to the magic of the performance for the next two hours.
He smiled down at Audrey as she came to his side, reaching down to twine his fingers with hers. It was an innocent touch, but he gave her hand a light squeeze as she spoke. "You, the amazing Audrey Carver, still get nervous?” he teased with a smirk. "Lucky I’m here for a while to quell all your fears,” he joked, faking a heroic tone in his words as he continued to grin at her.
It was hard not to flirt with her when it was only natural for him to try and make her smile. He couldn’t help a chuckle at her words, shaking his head as he instinctively reached to tuck her soft hair behind her ear so he could see her face again. "You’ll just have to show me later then,” he retorted, the playful smirk back on his lips.
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 445! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Feb 21, 2018 15:53:28 GMT -5
Audrey wished there was more time to spend with Greyson. If she could freeze time for just one night then she would. Her favourite time of day was quickly becoming those moments after the shows when they both ought to be exhausted and ready for their beds, but instead stole away together for a bite to eat and a late night walk under the few stars that could be glimpsed between the New York lights. She was falling behind on her reading list, but it was worth it to laugh with Greyson, and feel his hand curled around hers. She didn’t even care if he pointed out a spot of green that she’d missed in her dressing room – usually close to her ear or hairline – or if she picked a bit of glitter from his face from his own stage make-up. She felt it was like their own private joke; a little secret no one but them got to enjoy. It was intimate and yet so innocent. The curse of being a performer, and yet neither of them minded that their dates were filled with these tiny imperfections, or conversations were interrupted with sudden yawns. It was never personal, just the post-show adrenaline finally wearing off and leaving the weariness behind as their bodies cried out for rest as they had to do it all again another day.
As much as Audrey might sometimes complain about a dance number, or whine at the thought of getting out from beneath the warm and cosy blankets of her bed, she wouldn’t change her career for anything in the world. Choreography was her weakest skill, but she worked at it the hardest so she wasn’t left out when it came to auditions and roles. She could pick up the steps but it took her some time in private to work through the timing and correct her posture on a few niggly parts. Her frustrations at herself would never be enough to drive her away from Broadway. She was far too in love with the stage and the music. The thrill of performing coursed through her soul to the point where letting it go would be like sacrificing a part of who she was.
She rolled her eyes, trying to fight back the blush that was threatening to creep up her neck and flood her face. “You might think I’m amazing, but I still feel like the eight year old begging her parents for the performing arts summer camp.” She had been a bundle of energy, but on that first day after her parents relented, she had been anxious and unwilling to let go of her sister until much later in the day. Audrey was not known for her shyness, but that particular day something had ensnared her, and her sister was her protector and shield until she found her strength and her voice again. “Later I’ll be as green as the Emerald City.” Audrey pointed out, remembering that while their job might appear glamourous to the audience, it really wasn’t. Being painted up every show had grown old fast when Audrey had to scrub herself clean again afterwards.
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TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 529! OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty! LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Mar 26, 2018 21:30:12 GMT -5
One of Greyson’s favorite things about Audrey was the fact that she wasn’t perfect. He loved that she wasn’t the flawlessly poised and manicured prima ballerina that he spent most of his Company time with; she was a real person, full of life and laughter and imperfections that made her unique in a way that made him fall helplessly for her, just like he had in college. The ballerinas he worked with strove for perfection and had had it drilled into them from a young age because that was what ballet was; it was perfectly pointed toes and arms bent in perfect shape to create perfect lines. Greyson tried for that perfection when he was dancing and his relentless training was the only reason he had gotten as far as he had, but he didn’t want that away from the stage. He wanted messy and spontaneous and real; he wanted someone who wasn’t afraid to be human rather than a character in a show.
It was so unbelievably refreshing to be around someone who understood that the person he was on stage wasn’t who left the theatre at the end of the night when the makeup had been scrubbed off and the dance shoes had been chucked into their usual corner of his dressing room. He wasn’t always Prince Charming or the dashing hero; he liked lounging in old sweat pants, curled up on his fire escape with a coffee and a newspaper as he listened to the sounds of the endless pulse flowing through NYC. He liked walking his dogs in Central Park and he liked taking his younger sisters out to see various shows around the city; he liked being a normal person whenever he had a free moment. And, now, he especially liked being a normal person with Audrey. It was a thrilling career to be glitz and glam on a stage, but Greyson enjoyed getting to see her away from the spotlights, when it was just them talking about what made their worlds spin or laughing about an old memory from college. That was when he fell more in love with her, when her eyes were sparkling and she was curled up against his side, only the two of them against the world.
He couldn’t help grinning down at her, shaking his head. "I think you’re more than amazing, Audrey,” he said quietly, getting a glimpse of the blush slowly sneaking onto her face. Normally, he loved making her blush with compliments, but they had to keep up some semblance of professionalism here. At least, for now. "Speaking of the Emerald City, why don’t you show a guy around? I haven’t been inside here that many times, you know,” he teased with a raised eyebrow. "If I’m supposed to be living here the next few weeks, I deserve a full tour from the leading lady herself.” Greyson turned a warm smile back on her, gesturing to the stage doors he had emerged from moments ago. He really just wanted her all to himself for a little while, before the chaos of the show kicked into full gear. "Audrey?"
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 524! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Apr 18, 2018 13:50:44 GMT -5
There was always someone Audrey felt overwhelmed by. She was a down to earth girl. She might have found her spot on Broadway, but she was still the type who wanted to stuff her face while sitting in front of the TV, or who left the theatre wearing comfy clothes that she was more than happy to lounge around in. Some other people who she met could leave every night in heels that challenged the Empire State Building and outfits that carried expensive designer labels, but Audrey couldn’t do it. If she could get away with it she might have even snuck out in her pyjamas with her hair pushed back in a headband, and spot cream on her face where she felt an outbreak threatening to break out under her skin. There was a very different side to stage life than the one the audience saw. It was one full of aches and exhaustion, but a satisfying one all the same. It was similar to the feeling that came after a hard workout in the gym; one that left muscles burning and sore, but everything still felt good when stretched or rubbed in just the right spot.
She loved the lazy moments that she got to share, be them on her own or with others. Spending time with Greyson away from their respective places on the stage. It reminded her of Julliard, the way everyone showed up to class in whatever they felt comfiest in. There was rarely a need for anyone to arrive in their nicest clothes, trying to catch the attention of someone else. It was all about practicality then. Plus, they were essentially starving students; or at least Audrey had been. Her diet had left much to be desired, and scraping the bottom of her piggy bank for take out or fresh food was not an uncommon occurrence back then. Still, she wouldn’t change a single moment of it because without it she wouldn’t be standing where she was now. It was hard work and it had produced in her a drive that she had never thought possible back when she was just a little girl who was forever getting told off for daydreaming during algebra class, or talking too much when she was supposed to be learning about the Civil War.
“Stop. Elphaba is supposed to be green, not scarlet.” She mumbled, ducking her head towards her chest and letting her hair fall to hide her face. Letting Greyson see her blush was one thing, but Audrey didn’t particularly need the rest of the cast to know just how easy it was to turn her into a puddle of romantic goo. “A theatre is a theatre, but come along then.” She said, shrugging at the large open space that they performed in for starters. She knew everywhere had its secrets, but it wasn’t like everyone discovered them on their very first visit there. No, it took years of performances and experience before a place trusted someone enough to tell its entire story to them. Even now with one of the lead actor’s dressing rooms Audrey still felt like a stranger to this place – and it was her third production in this specific Broadway venue. “Go left.” She told him, skipping just the once to catch him at the door. Almost everyone was going to be out front working on the stage, so for once it would be fairly quiet backstage, save for a few technicians who were tidying or running odd jobs here and there. Even she didn’t usually see the place when it was the calm before the storm. Smiling, she slipped her fingers between Greyson’s and led him down the prop filled hallway.
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TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 622! OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty! LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on May 20, 2018 10:03:06 GMT -5
Lincoln Center had become like a second home for Greyson. He’d spent his entire professional career there, always coming back to the same classrooms and main stage that he’d performed on from the time he was merely a corps member to his solo pieces as a Principal. He’d moved dressing rooms more times than he’d ever be able to count, but it was still the same hallways and rehearsal rooms that were coated in generations of hard-earned sweat and scuffs from dance shoes. Sure, he’d performed other places, but Lincoln Center was the only theatre that was really his home. He knew the best places to sneak out after a show in order to avoid the crowds and traffic; knew the front desk ladies who loved to give out home-made treats on any holiday or just a random Tuesday afternoon. That theatre, those people, were his family and he knew he would always be able to find his place among them, no matter how far away he travelled. He’d danced with more people than he could remember during his professional career, but each one of them still held a special place in his heart. They all had one thing in common: the Company. It tied them together and created bonds that truly were unbreakable; well, as unbreakable as any relationship between competitors vying for the same top-level positions could really be. Still, Lincoln Center would be the place that built Greyson Drozdov, seasoned Principal Dancer of the New York City Ballet and a constant presence on the stage with his powerful movements and sharp as a knife feet.
None of it meant anything if Greyson couldn’t share it with the people he loved. He adored bringing his little sisters backstage or in for classes, exposing them to the career that had changed his entire life. It was worth it to see the look of pride on his father’s face after a show, the slap on the back a welcome praise after he’d poured his heart out on stage. Now, more than anything, he loved sharing that world with Audrey. It made him jump just a little higher whenever he knew she was out in the audience, wanting to impress her more than anything. What he did wasn’t easy but it was his job to make it look that way, and he wanted her to see that he really was living his dream in the Company. This adventure into Broadway was a chance for those worlds to combine and Greyson was excited to see how this would all work out. He wasn’t staying for very long and he was just a swing, but he got to share the stage with the actress that had completely stolen his heart and that made it all worth it. Besides, he needed a break from the demanding ballerinas; Audrey was much more enjoyable than them and he fully planned on taking advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with her.
He followed her down the hallway, smiling as she slid her hand into his. Greyson twined their fingers together as he caught sight of a little alcove up ahead, just out of sight of anyone who might be passing by. Deciding this tour needed a little distraction, he quickly tugged Audrey’s hand and pulled her with him, ducking into the space with a grin on his face. He couldn’t help chuckling down at her, his warm fingers reaching to tilt her chin up towards him. "I’ve wanted to kiss you since I walked in,” he whispered, dropping his lips right above hers as he lent down to finally press their mouths together. He tucked her hair behind her ear, his smile softening as he pulled back to rest his forehead on hers for a moment. "You don’t mind that I’m crashing your show, do you?” he asked honestly. This was her world, after all, and he was very much an outsider barging in for a few weeks, something he probably should’ve considered before completely turning his schedule upside down.
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 677! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Jul 3, 2018 16:33:42 GMT -5
Audrey knew people expected the world of theatre to be full of backstabbing and hatred, but the truth was that Audrey had rarely experienced any of that. Most of the people that she had worked with in her years on Broadway had wanted to spend their lives here; they knew upsetting everyone they met was not the best way to make a name for themselves. Audrey had only heard whispers of people being blacklisted by certain directors and refusing to work with other people, but she knew that wasn't a lifestyle she wanted to fall into. She had dreams of seeing her name in lights, but none of being a Broadway diva.
She was proud of what she had accomplished, but there was nothing that made her want to gloat about it. Audrey only wanted her family to see that she had made it after all the years of telling them that she would. She couldn't understand why some stars developed such huge egos and acted like the theatre needed to orbit around them like they were the sun that have life to the rest of them. It was unfathomable. Audrey might have been a letterbox with a sizeable personality, but she was modest; she still had to punch herself to believe she had the lead in Wicked. There were times when she still felt like a chorus girl when she woke up in the mornings. Her career had been a whirlwind experience in the best possible way.
Audrey folded into Greyson's hold, signing into the unsuspected kiss. It was a perfect stolen moment, but it made her feel like a schoolgirl skipping class to be with her boy. She pressed a quick, chaste kiss to his lips, wishing there was more time to just be alone, but someone would be bound to disturb them eventually. This was work after all. "I don't mind so long as you don't look too distracting on stage." She teased, running her hands down his chest to wrap them around his waist. Grayson made her heart best faster, her whole body feel hotter, and she knew none of that was appropriate when she was supposed to be proving herself a professional. Still, the romantic inside of her refused to be silenced, especially when they were huddled in the alcove together. She could already imagine how difficult the coming weeks would be to still her fluttering heart while Grayson was working so close by. She already felt her insides melt when she got to see him perform, though the occasions were few. This might actually destroy her and leave her a mess by the end of a performance night. Audrey wasn't going to spill her heart to the ballet dancer while they were stealing kisses in the shadows of Broadway.
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TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 509 OUTFIT! Broadway Beauty! LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Dec 4, 2018 1:24:31 GMT -5
Greyson had danced with his fair share of prima ballerinas. They were bred that way, after all; ballet was a harsh world of criticism, competition, and sharp hearts that was made to turn out tiny dancers with perfectly arched toes. There was no room at the top for softness, especially not for the dancers who seemed to roll in and out of the Company likes waves most years. This often translated into backstabbing and sabotage that ran rampant in the hallways, especially for the younger corps members who were just getting their taste of professionalism. Ballet was definitely not for the faint of heart; it was for humans-turned-machines who spent more of their lives out of breath and leaping impossibly high in the air than they did firmly planted in the real world.
But it wasn’t all harsh all the time; no, they still built each other up, especially once they had moved past beginner’s positions and had more notably established a career for themselves. Greyson was enjoying that part of his life now as a Principal, having a bit more freedom now that he’d earned enough respect to warrant an opinion. He liked being able to engage in the creative process and contribute to choreography or other little bits; he liked being seen as more than just a cog in the grand scheme of things.
He had never thought he’d be demoted to a chorus member again, but Greyson was thrilled to be stretching into Audrey’s neck of the performing arts world. It was something new for him, a type of dance much different than anything he’d find at Lincoln Center and one that allowed him to be closer to the woman who had successfully stolen his heart once again. The smile on his lips was undeniable as he gazed down at her, silently promising to treat her to something special later for interrupting her rehearsal without even the slightest of warning. "I’ll try to behave,” he smirked back at her teasing. Really, it was him who was going to have to focus even harder than usual; watching Audrey pouring her heart out on stage was one of his favorite past times and to share the stage with her was an honor Greyson knew would take some getting used to. Reluctantly, he pulled back with a quick kiss to her temple and returned them to the hallway, putting an end to their little tryst. "Lead the way, before I get you in more trouble,” he smiled and wrapped an arm around Audrey’s waist. He knew it was PDA, but it was just so hard to keep his hands off of her when she was drop dead gorgeous.
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 450! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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Post by audrey juniper carver on Jan 22, 2019 15:57:45 GMT -5
Audrey couldn’t envision her life without the stage in it. There might have been short breaks as the years ticked by, when she was more settled and focusing on the other areas of her life, but Audrey would always come back to the stage. It was her siren’s call. It beckoned to her, lured her in at every chance. It had been that way since she was a child. She lived to perform, to bring a whole new world to life beneath the bright lights. The thought of having that taken away from her was soul crushing, and came on the darkest of nights when she had no real defence to fight back with. It snuck in through the open window when she was tumbling from a nightmare, or weakened by an anxiety that everyone felt sooner or later. That fear drove Audrey, made her performances stronger. She still had a long Broadway career ahead of her, and rationally she knew that. A little push from her own demons couldn’t shake that; not for long anyway.
She didn’t even need to be cast in the starring role. Audrey had a long list of leading ladies she’d love to play, but she was always going to be happy so long as she was on a stage. She already had a box where she kept her collection of show programmes from when she had performed. Even if it was just her name in the midst of a chorus list it was still a memory she wanted to cherish. Everyone started somewhere, came from somewhere, and Audrey was no different. She often liked being reminded of the hard work she had put in to get this far. It was too easy to let the limelight inflate an ego, and she had seen it done time and time again. Even some of her old Julliard classmates were unrecognisable now. They acted like they were a gift to the world of the arts, and not simply lucky to have been given a chance and had it pay off. She didn’t wish horrors on anyone, but Audrey suspected that those kinds of students were the ones who fell the hardest when a show was received poorly, or they lost their starring moments to someone else.
Audrey never expected her world to cross with Greyson’s. They may have both been Julliard alumni, but they were trained in very different professions. She didn’t even dream that they might share a stage together. Their moments belonged in between the lights and the costumes, when both were out of the stage make-up and looking for the familiar comforts they missed when working. Right now she still felt like this was some hallucination from too much time spent in the bathtub with oils and candles surrounding her. Or even a wine that she should have passed on the second glass of. “Imagine we have our old teachers watching.” She teased him, recalling just how some of those retired stars could silence a room of gossiping college students with just one single look. It was a terrifying power. She wrapped her arm around herself to squeeze the hand that was resting on her waist. “Trouble has an interesting way of finding me.” She said with a playful smile, taking Greyson down the sharp, labyrinthian corridors to the dressing rooms. “I hope you’re used to a mess, because I don’t think anyone on this cast was bitten by the tidiness bug.” it didn’t bother her in the slightest, but most evenings involved someone shouting that they had lost something, and it turning up several rooms or desks over. Everyone was in and out of each other’s space so frequently it had become the norm to find things that weren’t yours just laying around in the wrong spots.
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TAGGED! Greyson Wesley Drozdov WORDS! 640 LYRICS! Safe And Sound - - - Tonight Alive NOTES!
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Post by Greyson Wesley Drozdov on Mar 20, 2019 21:23:10 GMT -5
It was amazing how much a dressing room could tell about a person. They really were a second home, a space that became almost like an extension of the artist themselves as it was their special place to transition between the real world and the persona they got to play on stage. Those moments before curtain rose were always insane and often full of goofy silent expressions, but the dressing room could be a brief escape from the insanity. Well, until it spilled over inside that room, as well!
Greyson had spent his fair share of time skipping around the Lincoln Center rooms, and he had fond memories of years spent in the long corps hallway fighting for mirror space with the other gentlemen. That was a time full of lost tights, practical jokes, and cramped dressing tables that were almost always overflowing with incorrectly used makeup products. It was such a contrast to the room waiting for him now, his little oasis from the insanity the rest of the theatre hallways saw. It was one of the bittersweet parts about this little getaway to Broadway; he knew he’d be sacrificing that quiet place to go back to the craziness of a chorus room. It was one of the few perks of being “top dog” that he fully took advantage of but, if a shared mirror meant spending more time with Audrey, Greyson knew it was completely worth the trade-off.
He knew their relationship was two separate worlds colliding, just like it had first been back in college. Greyson didn’t usually use words in his acting; it was all about facial expressions and elegant arms. Broadway gave him a new challenge to work on, and he was excited to be cultivating that piece of his art. Focusing more on acting than landing complicated turns or lifts would be a nice break from his Company work and would give him time to focus on his technique rather than performance.
But Greyson was really looking forward to spending more time with the leading lady in his own life. He was excited to eliminate the annoying commute between their usual respective theatres and have more time to relax together after a show in those precious hours that were always so short with them. He couldn’t help smiling down at her, maneuvering the complicated hallways with her. "But I heard you liked bad boys who look great in tights,” he returned with a chuckle. He wasn’t a great example of a bad boy, having spent the majority of his upbringing around tutus and over-watchful mothers, but he hoped she at least agreed with the tights part. "You’ve already stolen half of my t-shirts as pajamas, so I’ve gotten used to it by now,” Greyson laughed, squeezing her hip affectionately. She made those t-shirts look a hell of a lot better than he ever did, and it was always a fun game to see which of his clothes had gone missing after she’d spent time at his apartment.
• • • TAG: audrey juniper carver WORDS: 505! LOCATION: Rehearsal, Broadway OUTFIT: DANCE READY! LYRICS: Helpless from “Hamilton: An American Musical” NOTES: <3 <3 <3
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