There's More to Life Than Yoga Pants

     Fashion design is one of my loves, one of my passions. I even seriously considered going to school for it for a hot minute, but decided against it for a plethora of reasons, among them being that that world is far too cutthroat, catty, and ruthless for me. So I stuck to theatre. Uh, yea. Creating something out of nothing allures me. Creating something entirely unique and possessing the true essence of its maker, which said maker may then proceed to drape himself in and parade around like a banner, subject to the scrutiny of every single passer by, is not exactly for the weak or insecure. Although I will say the "style" nowadays does make it somewhat easier for the novice or the afraid to brave their own storm, for we are amidst a time when one can assuredly traipse about in just about anything.  Unless, that is if a girl wishes to fully embody everything it is to be a beautiful woman, demonstrating style, elegance, and individuality; or if a young man wants to be the type of gent who, after entering a room and seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, can't help but wish just a little that there had been a mirror across the way. Because if either of those is the case, both of these poor people's efforts and grace and panache is all but for naught, as it is being thrust upon an era of complete disregard for personal aesthetic.
     Regrettably this is the reality of today.
     Now please forgive me here for using absolutes.  I know full well that all this gibberish doesn't apply to everyone. I'm even acquainted with three or four- no just three I think- individuals, to whom none of this applies... and two of them are Stacy and Clinton... with whom I'm not actually acquainted in "real life." But the simple fact is I like absolutes. Absolutes more emphatically state my point. So if that bothers you, well #sorrynotsorry.
     So anyway, as if the pressure to be "cool" like everyone else isn't enough already, add that to the popular mantra of being yourself and you have yourself a whole bunch of confused, astray, and creatively exhausted...(or just pure lazy) people. All of these people living under the false pretense that tshirts and leggings 24-7 is perfectly appropriate. I shouldn't really say "false" because, well in some cases perception is reality, (and in fact the whole world of fashion epitomizes that statement more accurately that probably anything else,) and so technically it is more or less socially acceptable.
     Now let's just talk about men and attraction for a second. There are plenty of boys who say they don't care what a girl is wearing, they care about the girl. And there are plenty of boys who say they love to see a girl who's comfortable enough in herself to wear "comfy clothes" out. I mean there are also plenty of boys who are lying for various reasons, but for the sake of the argument let's say every one of them is sincere. Let's also say for the sake of the argument that confidence and ugly clothes
are indeed related in any way. So in that case don't get me wrong, I think boys not caring is just lovely. I'll even go so far as to say that it's endearing. I can fully understand that. What I fail to understand is why society is so blind as to think that potential boyfriends and girlfriends is the reason we get dressed in the morning. Hello. It's not. I hate to watch as we completely wash away the standards each of us should hold ourselves to. Because inevitably the standard we hold ourselves to
is the standard the outside world will hold us to.
      I believe a person's wardrobe should reflect who they think they are on the inside, (or at least who they want others to think they are.) It's like if we lived in a world where everyone was a fruit. All different outer layers, each projecting something distinctive and exciting. But one day many fruits decided it would be so much easier if while getting dressed every morning, they only had one option. So everyone went out and bought expensive brand name avocado skins (yes, avocados are a fruit,
perhaps the most unappealing of them all... catch my drift?)... except for the non conformists who bought generic avocado skins. Well now the whole fruit world is dull and nobody gets to catch a taste of the sweet or tangy or juicy inside by catching a glimpse of the outside. And not only that but they all think they're cute and hip when they're really just ugly and lumpy and dark green.
     I do fully believe we are slowly but surely emerging from this slump, but it is up to us to quicken the process. So here's what I'm saying: I want to see people dress like they care that they are alive and a person. Go somewhere and look like you were aware of the fact that you would be leaving your house today. If you want to step out of the box but you are scared that people will think you look stupid or you're showing off... do it. You have literally nothing to lose. If you already are fabulous
and getting tired of others' apathy towards your fabulousness and lack of fabulousness themselves, don't be discouraged. Because at the end of the day there will always be someone out there who cares. And if not, there will always be me. I care.
     Be fabulous. Be spontaneous. Be alive.

     Here is a very rough and slightly man-ish faced, (don't judge me,) sketch of costumes for the Valentines Day show Jorne told you all about yesterday. I'm pretty thrilled because I don't often design pink dresses for our shows! They'll be pink, white, and red for me, Tasia, and Taryn respectively with matching rhinestone stockings. Then if I have time I'll make the boys something... if not it's nbd I'm sure they'll be comfortable in their underwear.
    What do you think? (of the dress design.)

Be Mine Valentine?

    Well everybody its time for another post don't ya think! Today I want to tell you about one of our up and comings shows. Just over two weeks away me and my family are going to do a Valentine's day show at Revolutions in Hellertown. We all love shows like this because it gives us a chance to do all of the love songs we have in our repertoire. For me personally, these are some of my favorite songs because love songs are so full of feeling. The hardest part about singing these songs  is to really get the audience to feel what your singing. It also lets you really connect to everybody in the room because at one time or another everyone has loved, or on the down side, been heart broken. When I sing a sad song I know I get a little choked up. Whether it be happy or sad, if I can get one other person in the room to feel the joy or heartache in that particular song, then I feel like that song was worth it. We are all learning new songs for this show that I'm sure you will all enjoy, including the classics like "Puppy Love" all the way through to the newest song out like "Clarity." If you love good music it will definitely be worth your while. Now let me get back to the topic of this post, if you are looking for a great night out please come out and join my family and I. I promise you won't regret it,  it will be your best Valentine's day ever!




WHEN: VALENTINES DAY
WHERE: REVOLUTIONS HELLERTOWN
TIME: 6pm TO 11pm

Making Masks!!!

Hello everyone! So its been a week...did ya miss me? haha!
So for those of you who know us, you know that we are very crafty people...our lives pretty much revolve around a glue gun:) One craft that has become a tradtion in our household is making Mardi Gras masks! We usually have a theme (past years we've done things like "Wicked" themed, Greek Gods or pirates) and we each make a mask that fits in.
Every year Easton highschool has a bingo tournament and a basket raffle to raise money for their spring musical; this year we are donating a basket and we decided to make a mask to put in it along with some candy and other things. We chose to do a "Frozen" themed mask!
The process of making a mask is super fun and not super difficult and so I figured I could put up a How To blog this week:) (I will also put a video of the process at the end.)

Step 1: Make your design.
*We generally just design it on a normal piece of paper then trace it onto tinfoil.

Step 2: Cut the shape of your mask out of tinfoil (use about 3 layers, the more you use the better the shape will hold) and then mold the tinfoil to your face.
*Don't forget the eye holes! haha

Step 3: Paper mache your tinfoil mold.
(Paper mache is made by mixing together two parts water and one part flour.)
*Make sure not to make the mask too wet. It is going to need 3-4 coats and it takes a while to dry; after all the layers are on the mask may need to dry overnight.

Step 4: When the mask is good and dry its time to decorate! The sky is the limit to do whatever your little heart desires. And don't forget....everything is better with GLITTER!!!

Well thats it, your mask is finito. Wear it, enjoy it, go to a party, have fun!!!:D


But... actually it usually takes two days to complete a mask so here is the first half and you will all just have to wait in anticipation to see the finished product next week! ;)

 

Here are some of the masks we've made!

Secret to Community and Success : Tuesdays: Jewel's Jargon

     So we have come to Jewel's day. There is so much I would like to say but today I will tell you "why."
     For those of you who know me, you have seen I like to have fun, I fool around to a fault, don't take things seriously, get yelled at, and have little regard for authority; but the people who really know me know another side. This side is shown on the field, court, or forum and one more place, during the run of a show. My cast mates have probably seen me bite numerous heads off (probably felt my wrath themselves) when my determination focuses as it becomes crunch time in tech week.
     But why would I care enough about a musical to ostracize my friends and family while giving up weeks of time and sleep?
     Here is Why: passion, drive, purpose, and belief...things necessary for success in every life. I look around and see kids everywhere with no meaning in their life. Dreaming for nothing they have no reason to work. Apathy is rampant as more and more kids feel life has no purpose. Athletics is an old agent working against this. In modern history sports have probably lifted more kids out of a rut than any other secular activity (though I didn't wear pads until I was 15, my whole life I have been driven by football.)  But sports are not for every one, so what else is there?
    The next umbrella is the arts. Here I'll speak on theatre. Theatre is a powerful tool that can be picked up at any point in life and enjoyed by the masses.
        In our shows What drives me (besides the competitive mindset to destroy any comparison) is the ability to pass that drive and FIRE onto another person. Cast members must give of themselves to work to achieve an amazing goal.Our company is unique in that once a member you are not just an actor. You can devote as much time as you are compelled to, in set building, choreography, lighting, crew, marketing, and janitorial duties! A bunch of random amatuers come together and build a team which in turn does someting incredible.This is the magic. When one has a mission, a vision.... he is emblazened ....he is molded and crafted by what he dreams to become.
Now don't misunderstand me many of the people in our comany don't aspire to be on Broadway, but thats not the point. Just like most high school football players don't play in the NFL that doesn't change the benefits of the blood sweat and tears given up through the years they played. This molded us to believe we can be succsessful in whatever we do. We hope that passion stays forever.
      ..... Fitting in to all that is society...our community. American pop culture is a death trap, as shown in the effect it has had on my generation and my parents' generation. Innovation is dying and murders within the family is on the rise. http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/fvs02.pdf.  Both our generations have become so caught up in our "stuff" that we've all but stopped thinking outside the box..no pun intended. We've stopped relying on eachother, on our neighbors, on our churches...and we've become detached from eachother and from our communities.
The fiber of our society is the happenings in each community,
You and I can change that.
Shrek The Musical last summer was our largest show to date and would have cost upwards of $50,000! But, thanks to my dad being really good at asking and community businesses being responsive to his plea, most of it was donated!!!!!. So many businesses were willing to share some of their treasure with our theatre group, and for the most part got very little in return. These business owners donated out of the goodness of their hearts. Just as a way to Give Back. No one received special accolades or money - they gave their time because they wanted to.Through all of this we are raising money for those who make our life in America free. These are our chances to take control and believe in something on a small scale... so we can all believe in eachother and our fellow man as a whole.-Jewel Gilbert

please comment, what is your take?

WELCOME TO MONDAYS WITH TARYN!!!

   Hello ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Mondays with Taryn, the best way to start off your week ;). This is the day I get the opportunity to talk to you from my perspective, share some crazy things with you and keep you so enthralled that you'll want to stop by our blog EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK! :D
   I'm going to take this day, my first day writing on the blog, to tell you a little bit...or alot a bit.. about myself. I'm the oldest of the family. So that makes me the oldest of 5, the big kahuna (next to my mom of course), the boss, the responsible one, the leader... oh yeah.. and the one who got blamed for everything, the one who more was always expected from, and the one who had to be the example for the younger siblings, and mom's and dad's favorite.. until the youngest came along.. haha. I'm sure all of you oldest children out there can relate -__- But you know what?! It just comes with the territory, and I wouldn't give up my position in the family for anything! I love being the oldest!
   Some other things about me... I'm the tallest girl in my family at a whomping 5'9"! As a matter a fact, when I was little I remember my aunt going on this website that was supposed to predict your height and it predicted I'd be 5'9" so it was always my goal in life to be that height. Once I reached that height I felt so accomplished, I was so happy that my dream had come true! I'm convinced that if that dream was able to come true, which I really had no control over, I can make any dream I have come true because those are up to me to achieve!
   Some things I enjoy doing are singing my favorite songs super loud in my house with my sisters and not worrying about how much we are probably disturbing our neighbors.. although, after 12 years they GOTTA be used to it by now... right?! Another thing I really like to do is hang out with my f........... you think I'm going to say "friends" huh? But actually I was going to say FAMILY!!! And now you're probably thinking "who likes hanging out with their family?" Well, believe me... once you get an idea of who we are from this blog.. you'll want to hang out with us too. We are the coolest, silliest, funniest, weirdest, craziest family you'll ever meet! My mom always laughs at us because she says when we talk to eachother we talk as if we haven't seen eachother in 5 years haha! We have the BEST time together and can literally have a good time doing ANYTHING! As soon as we get bored... "TIME TO MAKE UP A GAME GUYS!" That's just the way we are... and I LOVE IT! Don't get me wrong... I love hanging out with friends too.. we just adopt them into our family. Below I included a pic that really describes my siblings.. I'm of course taking the picture because whenever my mom isn't there I'm the designated photographer. I think I'm pretty good at it if I do say so myself.. Then the next one is just us... being.. us!

I hope you've enjoyed Monday's with yours truly... believe me.. there's lots more to come!!!!

PEACE

Oh... and follow us on Facebook and Twitter and visit our website for more fun stuff!!!

Www.twitter.com/singforamerica5

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www.singforamerica.com

    Hello world this is Teara, primary nickname LuLu, other nicknames past and present: Trouble, Princess, (we'll be revisiting that one later,) Hot Pants, and whatever else there may be that you feel is suitable to dub me... and whatever else I may have forgotten. (Feel free to comment below.)

    Anyone who knows me at all knows that if you really lend me your ear- and possibly occasionally, preferably often but not vitally, offer a response that I like- I will talk. Alot. And if I live with you I will talk alot whether you're listening or not. Btw I'm not sure why the "internet" thinks alot is meant to be two words e.i. a lot... but uh, it's wrong.

      So I hear we got some views yesterday in Sweden! Holla.

*If you know me personally: I did not just say that.

*If you don't know me personally: you should probs be aware that I'm pretty much a thug.

      So people, I have so much to say and my crazy imagination has an absolutely ridiculous amount of things that it believes is absolutely necessary for the world to know. I keep trying to get it to pipe down, yelling at it saying, "NOBODY CARES!" but it just won't listen...smh. So here it stays, spinning round, colorful and wild like a whirling dervish trying to figure out what to let go of first and put down on this paper... screen. So I guess I think it's best if I start simple so as not to frighten anyone- don't say it. 

*Side note* -You should know that I'm pretty weird at first and then I may or may not get progressively weirder the better you know me. I like to think it's a good weird though; a fun weird; a slaphappy weird. And I can't wait to get on a comfort level like that with every single one of you...(now read that again and with your mind's voice make it sound a good deal less creepy...thank you.)  In person the process takes a while and most people I honestly never get there with, but you're all different. You're all special, I can feel it.

     So yes, back on track, starting simple and very close to my heart: I would love to show you this little old place I like to call home. Remember at the top of this post when I said I would be revisiting the nickname Princess? Well I earned that nickname last summer when I played Fiona in Shrek the Musical and portrayed her just as accurately off stage as on...(not the ogre part though of course.) Playing Fiona was so much more fun than I ever dreamed it would be at the beginning of the process. Judging only by the movies I was just a teeny bit vacillant about jumping right into this role... I felt a bit too far away, she didn't seem exactly like my kind of princess. But I was looking at her all wrong. As soon as I read the script and listened to the music it hit me, that's exactly what was missing. That's all I needed to connect with her and understand her and I very very quickly grew to LOVE this character.

     As I'm sure you've gathered by now that when I said "home" I didn't exactly mean the place I sleep at night. I meant the place where I truly feel my heart belongs, and that is the stage. There is far too much to be said on the subject of "the stage" to write about all at once and I'm sure much on that topic will carry over into numerous blog posts, so I'll leave you now with this video of one of my favorite songs from Shrek, "I Know It's Today."

      And though I could continue on for quite a while, I'll stop talking now because I really reeeaaaalllyyy want you to watch this video and obvs you can't spend your entire life reading about me... unless you can in which case please comment below;) (again, not meant to sound creepy.) Okay guys, see ya next week... uhh, write ya next week... enjoy!

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Just something about me

    Hello everybody!
  I thought I would start my first blog by introducing myself. My name is Jorne I am the youngest  of the group, but... by far the best - jk. I am very involved in sports.
It's like I lead a double life. Afterall, what athelete does musicals? Am I right!
Anyway, I play the stand up bass and the trumpet so I like to think of myself as musically inclined.
I also very much enjoy to  cook, and my signiture dish is baby back ribs!
 Some other stuff you might want to know about me: my favorite color is yellow - I love animals - the best theme song ever is from the first Pokemon series: Sing it with me: 
 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to be the very best,
Like no one ever was.
To catch them is my real test,
To train them is my cause.

I will travel across the land,
Searching far and wide.
Each Pokemon to understand
The power that's inside

Pokemon, (gotta catch them all) its you and me
I know its my destiny
Pokemon, oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend

Pokemon, (gotta catch them all) a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ke-mon, gotta catch 'em all

Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place

Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team
Arm in arm we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream

Pokemon!

(Gotta catch 'em all)

It's you and me
I know it's my destiny

Pokemon!

Oh, you're my best friend,
In a world we must defend.

Pokemon!

A heart so true.
Our courage will pull us through.
You teach me and I'll teach you.

Pokemon!

(Gotta catch 'em all)x5

Yeah!

Pokemon!

It's you and me
I know it's my destiny

Pokemon!

Oh, you're my best friend,
In a world we must defend.

Pokemon!

A heart so true.
Our courage will pull us through.
You teach me and I'll teach you.    

 

-One of my favorite past times is making up words and I like set building.

 One important part of producing your own show is the building of the set. Most people hire someone to build it for them, but for us, the job falls to me, my uncle, and my brother. This is how it's been since our first show in summer 2011. At that point I couldn't do much - kinda just did the little jobs my uncle had for me, then as the years passed I became pretty good.

 Then this past winter just me and my brother did it and thats all  she wrote! Its really cool be able to do all that kinda stuff by myself now and I doubt I will ever stop.
To end, I would like to leave you with the words of a wise leemer monkey, ''which one of you is attracted to me?''
                                                                     -King Julian

 

                               

FASHION to the EXTREME!!!

    SO.... Our friend asked Taryn Teara and I to be models for a fashion show that her beauty school was hosting. Toni&Guy Acadamy hosts a fashion show at all of their different locations once a year. The students get a central theme, split into groups, and style their models to show off their talents, whether it be in the makeup and/or hair department.  
   We arrived at our friend's house in Philly the night before so that she could get a head start. She did Teara's hair first. Teara has like golden blonde really curly hair; She gave her lighter highlights then toned the whole thing to blend it. I think it turned out beautifully but Teara had some reservations at first. She thought it was more brown than the golden it was before she dyed it, but when we got home two days later she realized it was just the floresent lights in the building that were making it look like that and now she loves it!
   Taryn got a red ombre done. Her hair is almost black and so she had to strip it (bleach it) first and then dye it. Her hair turned out a reddish purpley pink color. She had been wanting an ombre done for so long and it turned out perfectly!
   My hair wasn't getting colored so she waited on me till the next day:)
   So we arrived at Toni&Guy early and got right to work. Another girl on the team did my hair. She made a design out of cornrows on either side of my head and then made a teased mohawk down the middle. Now, I thought the braids were awesome althought they were pretty darn tight and my scalp hurt for a long while afterwards...like days... But the mohawk was an absolute nightmare-_- If you don't know what teasing is, it means you take a small piece of hair and comb it backwards with a tiny comb in short choppy strokes. I have long curly hair that they needed to make stand up by itself, she teased it over three times! I couldn't even watch in the mirror that was in front of me, I cringed the whole time just thinking about combing it out. And on top of the teasing she put tons of hairspray on it, I don't use hairspray...ever...it breaks my hair and dries it out alot. But I gritted my teeth and got through it; and I won't lie, it did look pretty AWESOME when it was finished. She sprayed the tips gold and put jewels at the start of each braid, I looked pretty fashion show-esqe if I do say so myself haha!
After hair was done it was time for makeup, yay =)
   With makeup there was a slight issue because the girl on our team who was in charge of that area came very late and said she was only doing 1 out of 5 models (which the three of us were worried about because she had done our makeup once before and she is an extremely talented makeup artist so we all wanted her to do ours.) So the other stylists on our team had to ask people from other teams to do our makeup. It was a scramble and everyone was really busy but the girl on our team wound up making up like 2 1/2 people ( me included!) and after some debocle and harsh words we all got done. I got a smokey eye that I loved, Taryn had a black style that matched her curled Pin-Up Girl hair do, and Teara got some funky striped eyes and lips (she was hoping for something more classic but I thought it was very cool.)
   The theme for the whole show was Cirqe de Sole! It was awesome to see everyone's costumes and hairstyles and makeup. Some teams did some interesting body and face painting designs, some teams did crazy like actual circus costumes...it was really fun!
Our team was pretty subdued compared to everyone else's, I wish we would've known the theme beforehand because we could have brought some awesome stuff from our extensive costume collection at home. Our team still looked bangin' though!
   The whole show went really well and I would love to do another one!!!

P.S. It took me an hour and a half to comb out my mohawk!:/

AHHHHHHH WE HAVE A BLOG!!!!!! READ IT OR DIE X_X

   

    Being an artist, being any form of artist, means being aware of the thread that weaves every single one of us together, thus connecting us to you and inviting you into the web that entangles every human reached by our works. That thread is the need to share; the need to share thoughts and feelings, hopes and dreams, fears and desires, failures and triumphs. We pour our hearts into creations, riding on the chance that someone out there might hear it, see it, taste it, touch it... and feel something. 

     We are The Gilberts, also known as Sing for America, and we choose to share from the stage. We share through performance, through song, dance, and theatre. We started this blog because through our performances you can get to know us as a group of entertainers. But we are excited to give anyone who's interested a closer look, a different perspective, because no matter what there is always something that you just can't see from the stage. So now we invite you to take a look into our lives and get a glimpse of our own "behind the scenes," as performers and as a family, but also as individuals. With this blog we all hope to interest you just a little bit as we share just a little bit more of "us." 

     

  Welcome.