Candy Sale Day

• I wore my "Pupusas, Chocolate, & Netflix" shirt today which I ADORE and so did tons of other people who complimented me
• Somehow, by some miracle, work was pretty okay today. I stressed like a lot about pre-ops. But they all got in and then it felt like I worried for nothing
• Free pizza!
• Successful rehearsal

My First Rehearsal

Since I went to Lazer Team last night, I missed the first rehearsal, SO tonight was my first for Picasso. I'm so happy to be working with this awesome group on such a fun script. Hopefully I can be of use and do a good job. Seriously, this is gonna be such a good time.

Day 28: Up Close

Ice is quite pretty when you don't have to walk on it.

Need A Little Christmas

You know I'm not allowed to sing Christmas songs right? It's an agreement with the apartment. Not until December. 'Cause it's too soon and we need to give all the other holidays enough time to be holidays. Except you know me and there isn't a time that I don't love Christmas music. But okay. I will stick to listening on headphones and forcing myself not to hum along until I'm alone.

BUT. Today we had our first rehearsal for Snow White. And since Panto is a Christmas show anyway, there is a Christmas song. So everyone in the room was literally dancing and singing a Christmas song and having a merry old time, even though it's still October! I was so happy. It felt like a little victory for my five year old heart. Just 'cause it's a super commercialized holiday doesn't mean you can't love the atmosphere and warmth of it all. Plus, so what if stuff is being sold early? It's cheaper and super pretty. And some of us like planning ahead <3

Panto 2

We began rehearsals today! We read through our script of Snow White. It's such a silly show. It will be tons of fun. And I'm really honored to be a part of Ira's potentially last panto at McDaniel. This is gonna be an awesome cast and an awesome show and an awesome time.

Lots of Crying

We were on stage. We were wrapped up in the scene. It felt very real. It felt very raw. We were doing well. We were on a roll. We rolled a little too far. And when you roll too far and too fast, AND you try to stop it? It just hits way too hard. And we all cried. Well Brandon, John, and Andrew didn't. Not for lack of emotion, but rather for lack of expressing the grief that we all felt. But everyone else cried. We lost it on stage, director included. We all needed a break to remind ourselves that we love each other and this tragedy will not be forgotten because we will remind people and we will make a difference. Hugs were appreciated. Tissues were necessary. And Elizabeth reminded us that it's okay to let that happen because it's not acting, there is no acting, it's all real. Not just for this show but every show. It's real. It's a tough business that actors choose for themselves, but it can be done. You just have to let yourself feel.

What an honor to have shared this moment and be a part of this show with all these incredible people.

Love In Me, Raging

Rehearsal today was good. I was on my ish. And Elizabeth liked what I did today. She laughed cause I just kinda stand in the corner with a mic for a while, so I just did my job. Also. I need to learn to do a Texan accent for one of my characters. Accents are very very hard for me. I am just not good at them. I try so hard. And I have tried so hard all day. And after all my trying, Elizabeth, WHO IS AN EXPERT AT ACCENTS AND DIALECTS, said she liked mine! Eeep! I celebrate.

Also. In Yoga. We listened to this and I got feels cause I love Cirque du Soleil so much.

A Part of Something Special

I am honored. Absolutely honored. To work on such an important show with such a needed message. And I'm proud of my cast. Already. Because they understand the severity of our work and what a difference we can make.

Work From Home

Rehearsal today wasn't until 10:30. We got to sleep in. Furthermore, it was in my apartment. Everyone hung out in our living room and ran through lines. I literally walked downstairs and got my work done. How fabulous is that?! I like this. I want more of this.

First Rehearsal

So I mentioned earlier that I'm doing a solo in church in a couple of weeks. I finally got the chance to rehearse the song with Diego. It's very simple but the song is close to my heart. I love how it sounds and I love how enthusiastic he is about it. That means a lot to me, to know that the person helping me feels as touched by the song as I do. He says he wants to play around a bit more for a fuller sound which is cool. Also, we asked Bryan to help out with his electric guitar. I'm incredibly excited. It's something small and will only be for the youth group, but I can't wait. From the moment I heard this song, I knew I had to sing it. And now I will, and it will be better than expected! :)

600th Post!

I had no class today! It's to icy out. And so, classes were cancelled and I had all day to sit inside and feel better. EXCEPT FOR THE NIGHT! We had a secret rehearsal :3 Even though they're not allowed to make it mandatory or anything. Everyone still showed up. And we ran through the show. It's looking really good. We open in two days. EEP.

600 different reasons to smile.

How great is that?!

One Week More

SO. One week until we open. We worked with volunteers for the first time. It was loads of fun, and great to hear them laughing at all our jokes. I'm glad we know what we're doing. And that we found people who enjoy working with us. Hopefully the real audiences will be as kind and willing to participate :D

Getting There

Today was easily our best rehearsal yet. We're on top of it, guys! I just need to practice twirling a baton more. But we all had fun! We got our cues! Our props and sounds are there! And not only did I make more people cry with my song, but I actually got some cheers with my rant. Hallelu!

Day 1

On Monday, all acceptance letters and first clues were delivered. Watching the babies squirm and get excited and tweet and post statuses and all that jazz. It's so cute. I love it. This is why this job is so rewarding. It's so cute!

Sidenote, I made Najee cry today with my song. Like, the moment when I lose. I'm pretty happy about that. It means I'm doing my job right :3 They like me. They really like me.

Concentrate on Winning

We open Putnam in exactly one month! How crazy?! So crazy!! But today was a nice, calm, music rehearsal. Allison ran the songs with us and basically drilled Act 1 into our brains. I'm incredibly happy with the results. We sound a lot better. The solos are precious. And the opening number is way too much fun! We're gonna have a blast with this show.

Fueled By Ramen

Aka College.

DONE WITH FINALS! HALLELU! And the two that I thought were the hardest and I would probably fail turned out to be the easiest! Studied like a madwoman for astronomy, and I finished the whole thing in half an hour. And Communications was pretty cool, too. There was a question about My So-Called Life and it was on like Cheech & Chong. Tis a good day. Now to make cards & learn lines. WE OPEN IN LESS THAN A WEEK. AHHHHH!

Title because college. Also because A Fever You Can't Sweat Out has been playing non-stop.

I'm pretty sure Panic! is one of the major reasons I'm so iffy about mimes. Like I'm almost 100% positive.

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody

So rehearsal today was dancing. First we did the maypole dance. Which was exhausting and oh so fun. Then we did a dance to The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars, which will be adorable. And then Ira called rehearsal. So, instead of leave, we all had a dance party. Crazy techno hits and ALL the fun to be had. Seriously, theatre kids are your go-to for a real dance party. A stage. Lights. And the best sound system around. <3

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear

Reason 243: I love that song! I also love that we are FINALLY getting updates about this years Children's Show, in which I am a teddy bear :3 Excited!! It's gonna be so crazy cute. Meanwhile, we got a half schedule (full at first read-through) in which I found out April 27th is a mandatory date. 27th? Day of my sister's baby shower?.... Uhm. Yikes. Sorry Mae, but I cannot. I have to put Karla first and that's final! -hides-... Oh, you're okay with it? You understand?! YAY. From best Peer Mentor to best Big to best Director! I love that girl.

Today's Recommendations

Song: Lovesick by Emily Osment

Movie: The Raven

She Want That

Reason 219: After the longest, most hectic day of zero breaks and running from one place to another and a rehearsal that ended at 11:30... CAKE! Courtesy of Brittany's incredible mommy. Hallelujah.

But let's be real, this show will be AWESOME.

Seurpreese!

Reason 64: Roomies & Friends. So I come back from rehearsal today and Emily has a happy presents just sitting there for me! With a happy balloon, a teddy bear, glow sticks, a glow wand, and a wall decoration with "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" written on it. So much happy. Lovely days. It's wonderful to have a roommate who is also my friend :)

Stay So Connected

Reason 63: So 12 hour rehearsal. Fun times, non? So tired. But the best part, interestingly, was texting Spencer. My little baby from back home. He's like a son to me. And the fact that we've been talking all day just gets me so nostalgic of Einstein and the strong connection I have to that school. I love hearing about the show and his classes and the homecoming decorations/themes. All of it! Also, he's the only person who I know will for sure be at Hairspray. That seriously touches my heart.

Obviously not the same sentiment. But a cute song :)