Hi everyone, I am Aure-Malia, Vanya’s widow mother who is part-time studying as a freshman at Duke.

I didn’t dare to say in class on Friday but I believe a “oh shit” moment I have experienced this past two week is when I stood in front of the Vanya class on audition day and realized… I was auditioning for Uncle Vanya!! Why would I have listen to our dear Vice-President and put myself in such an uncomfortable position… Fortunately this “oh shit” moment quickly turned into one of my favorite moments starting at Duke.

I have a hard time trying to give a profound character analysis or intense self-reflection and reconciliation with the play. Not that I haven’t spent time on de-puzziling the puzzle, but I believe I just don’t feel very confident or have any concrete idea of how to turn my character alive yet. I am trusting and counting on the still little intimidating professors and the quirky exercises during workshops to get something out of this inexperienced comedian wannabe. At this point what I can do is to be the piece of clay as moldable as possible, eager to be shaped, and continue to pretend to know what I am doing, maybe just as a good number of the rest of the cast.

To end this belated post with triumph, here is a confession: I may be the only exception in this flamboyant cast, but I sincerely have no musical skills and sing like a featherless crow. So sorry Jeff…. Hopefully a sixty-year-old cha-cha dancer as Maria works for you too.

Aure-Malia