Chronicles of Dustin Ashley Beam

Just another lazy Sunday, Lounging in pjs, Watching Friends always, My resty-rest fun day... dab

Exhibit A: This is how I actually looked whilst dancing. Exhibit B: This is how I thought I looked whilst dancing. May we take a moment for the word whilst? What a fun and intriguing underused li'l word. :-) Jojo Joy and I traversed to Roscoe's, a cool ass gay bar in Chicago's " Boytown ". You just cannot make up these names. It was a rollicking good time with great drinks (best Dirty Shirleys ever), stunningly handsome, cute, and beautiful lads/men/boys, a dance floor that literally vibrated from the beats o' the dj , amazing light shows during the dance o' the gays, and a kick-caboose display o' the ceiling that made me feel as though I was in the sea and in the middle of a jellyfish. The places that my mind meanders whilst the dance overtakes my extremities and very soul.... quite alarming orange blossoms, quite alarming and charming all at once. Years ago when I came out (how peculiar is that terminology especially re...

The fourth time to Oz proved to be a deeply moving one. Without a doubt, Wicked is my favourite musical, period. * It is just goodness to see actors up there working their craft and making characters come to life. Such a bizarre concept live theatre is, but when done well, it electrifies the senses. * I have now seen Idina, Shoshana, Stephanie, and Dee. * All had their strengths... On Thursday, Dee was viciously sharing her tale with me and it was impeccable. * Unless I was suffering from some episode, there have been tweaks to dialogue, song, and special effects. All interesting... all noted. * I think that Defying Gravity is the culmination of brilliant scene writing by Winnie Holzman. After all that Elphaba has experienced, everyone is ready for her to proclaim her rebellion. I am like a child in those moments... I simply cannot get enough of the story/song. When she bounds to the air, I forget that it is a hydraulic lift. I believe that a green witch can fly... I believe, I beli...

On this day where we celebrate resurrection, I wanted to also take a moment and say: * I am a believer in beginnings, even those cleverly disguised as endings. * Happy Birthday to you Dad on what would have been your 64th birthday. What a day full of mixed emotions, huh? I miss you and wish you were here to hug. There are great things happening in this place that I wish you could witness, but I do believe you do know and peek in from time to time. May this day bring hope to anyone that needs it and beckon awareness that wherever you are, there is always possibilty of resurrection, be it emotional, physical, or spiritual. My life has certainly been a testament to the fact that there is always hope, always a new day, always an opportunity to arise from the ashes and begin anew... often when least expected. As my Dad departed this realm, I sang him the following words. They are just as true today. It is my prayer that everyone finds love this precious and never-ending. For Dad, a man tha...

"It's the day of the show, y'all!" After much rehearsal, it is time to present Bach's The Passion According to St. Matthew (only portions mind you, but still what a workout!) We will all be Bachstars and shall bach it up! Ha. I know. Silly man, silly man. Serious night, but it had to be said. I am looking forward to my trip to the Windy City and getting back to writing some music. Happy Easter all! The Dash

You know there is a reason that people say: Life is about the small things. I have not a clue who these "people" are but we as a society certainly reference them in a bibliographical- esque way often, don't we? ( MLA Documentation is your friend.) I try to be mindful of these small things, these moments that are special in their simplicity. Some days that is more difficult than others. Or in some cases, in some years that is more difficult than others. (Hello, 2007 anyone? Anyone? Bueller ... Bueller ?) Then there are those moments that transpire that you just know that it is a special and simple thing. "Take note", you say. "Take note." I have done just that: taken note. The other day was a hectic one for me and I was rushing around, driving in my li'l car and listening to some cast recording and acting as though we were in the recording session, recording what was surely to be the Tony Award winner musical of that year: and a landslide victory...

In the past few days I have: Written a ten page paper on Gustav Holst's The Planets (most specifically picking Mars: The Bringer of War to highlight), Taken four make-up tests in Music History and Theatre (collectively), Had two Choir rehearsals of extreme intensity, Auditioned for A Little Night Music , Performed in a Choir Concert (music by memory -- ouchola), Sung in two church services, Sung a solo (Forthcoming in less than two hours).... WOW! I am fatigued in that glorious fashion when you know that you have done some good work and are being validated on all fronts. I adore The Planets and now know that I am a fan of the program symphony. It is exemplary when a new world of music presents itself to you and says, "Hey, come on and listen... you know you wanna...". And I do. Rather did. :-) I auditioned for the conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Director of the Arkansas Rep and felt that I did a competent job. I sang, sightread from the show, and re...

This Sunday I was asked to sing at a small church in Stuggart, AR. I chose to sing my grandfather's favorite hymn, The Old Rugged Cross . It was a laidback service. I received an enormous amount of positive feedback which leads me to this... Singing is incredible. I am still like a little child in those moments... I sang a little tune and was given some of the most generous and touching compliments. I am awed by my life in these times. I get paid three fold: monetarily, in validation, and spiritually. I would not know what to do if I could not perform and share my little stories via music with the world. What an effervescent and beautiful day. I just love music and the miracle that it is. I hope all find their miracle and just bathe in it! As always, floss dear daffodils.... floss! DASHley

Sometimes it is difficult to start over and put yourself out there again. By out there I mean in the land of the living-have-a-regular-schedule-and-stick-to-it-kinda-way. Most of last year I spent on a big couch covered in a huge floral print. I must admit that I am not a fan of the way that couch looks, but he has been nice to me when I needed it most. Now we are good pals. I have a year left of school and am starting to look at grad schools for musical theatre. I am ready to move on, but certainly have some apprehension. I have met amazing people, learned much about artistry and my voice, and had quality time with my Dad, rest of my family, and my friends. I feel as though my personality went dormant for some time to make way for grief, but BLAH BLAH BLAH.... I came to a realization the other day. I am tired of living in the Griefville, but have become complacent there. It was awful, but I had no expectations. I must admit that trying to do this thing called life again is harder than...