Put on a Happy Face

On Tuesday I was back home and ran into a friend at her place of business.  She told me how excited she was when she saw an email stating that I had blogged; just to find out that it was a promise of a blog post...it was nice to know that I have a reader out there.

Monday was my understudy run through for "Bye Bye Birdie."  I understudy Albert Peterson, for those of you unfamiliar with the show he is the male lead.  So I had spent the weekend prepping.  Memorizing lines, locking in all the music and dances, and all the blocking.  It is a stressful experience being an understudy.  For our company, we have two types of understudies: In-Cast and Out-of-Cast.  An In-Cast understudy, or understudy, plays another part in the show whereas an Out-of-Cast, or standby, is not in the show.

I am an understudy, so I am part of the ensemble on a daily basis.  My part consists of five lines and some ensemble songs...my understudy role consists of many more lines, 4 songs, and a dance break.  As an understudy you get one chance to impress the ensemble, one shot to sink or swim.  I was beyond stressed all weekend and even during the run through felt the effects of stress.  Every mistake I made seemed like the end of the world...but I got through it.

During my drive to my parent's house on Tuesday morning I was able to look back and separate the stress from the experience I realized that I wasn't as horrible as I thought.  I can attribute my success to the overwhelming support from my friends and cast mates.  They helped me run lines, pointed me in the right direction during the run, and gave me encouragement.  I was told that if I ever have to go on that the show wouldn't suffer.  Which is a nice thing to hear.

So for now, I will just sit back and put on a happy face and wait...and pray that I don't have to go on.  While it would be fun I still don't think that I am ready.

Short blog this afternoon but will continue to write and post more regularly.

Update

Been a month since I moved to Fresno...feels like yesterday.  So much has happened.  I will update later tonight.  Tonight is my understudy run through...I will blog about it tonight.

495,913...495,914

Ever since freshman year of college, whenever I would come back to Fresno I would add myself to the population as I entered city limits.  Dorky, I know but I couldn't help it.  It made me feel like I belonged, like this was home.  It has been a long time since I have been able to do that, until this weekend.  I have recently moved back to Fresno and on my way into town with my car jammed full of my belongings I added myself to the population.  For the time being it may only be for the next 4 months until I find a job but it is still my home.  College was a time for me to learn, this journey is my time to live.  Living with 3 great guys in a fantastic house in an awesome location.  I am mostly settled in, just have a few things to set up (i.e. electronics, dvd collection) but everything is unpacked and ready to be used.  I guess it helped that I only brought 5 boxes of stuff and my clothes.

Rehearsals for Bye Bye Birdie begin tonight...reports on that later.  I know, I know, I always say that...this time I mean it.  I will post updates on Annie, Cemetery Club, Camp, and Birdie this week.

Starting Here, Starting Now

Well, Annie is over; blog on that later.  After Annie, I got hired as the Director of a summer camp.  I have been working for Camp Yeager for ten years and applied to be the camp director and got it!  Spent a lot of time planning, interviewing and hiring staff, and prepping for the year.  Just got back from camp on Friday and plan on doing a posting about camp in the coming week.  My plans now are up in the air.  I am starting rehearsals for Bye Bye Birdie soon...
One thing is for certain, I will be doing something great very soon.  Just have to figure out what it is.

Where have you been...

I mentioned today that I had been neglecting my blog and a friend of mine replied that it was such a horrible thing that I was ignoring the masses and then proceeded to laugh.  Thanks.  I didn't mean to leave you all alone.  Annie rehearsals are going...that is all on that matter.  I begin with the GCP Jr. Company on Saturday.  I am beginning as an assistant vocal coach and will hopefully be moving up through the ranks very soon.  Today has been a very long day and so I retire to my bed to read and sleep.

Dogs chase cars...

Cemetery Club is winding down... entering into the last weekend and I have begun my search for my next job.  I begin work with the Jr. Company in April, so that is something to look forward to.  First step to working with the actual company...  Need to head to bed soon; am meeting a friend for dinner tomorrow evening.

Theater Weekend

Cemetery Club has opened.  And it is getting great word of mouth from the audiences that have seen it.  Opening weekend was a bit slow but the numbers are going up...slightly.   The cast is amazing and are doing a fantastic job! Such an honor to work with this group of people.  Off to hang out with the boys.  Night.