Full of Gratitude

I am so grateful to have such a loving and supportive family. So grateful to have such a close relationship with my mom. Someone to share so much with, someone I trust and enjoy. Someone who entertains me, teaches me, listens to me, and guides me. I tend to tear up when I think about how much she means to me. How she has always been there to help me through all of life's transitions, helping me stay with my path, my journey. She's like my guardian angel and Fairy Godmother - Always there to help with guidance or dresses!

As I embark on the next steps of my journey, I am full of gratitude.
Thank you family, thanks mom.

Scenarios

Do Not Do Not Do Not go through life contemplating and scheming through all sorts of scenarios of what is going to happen next; or what will happen if you do this and this but not that and perhaps that other thing. This way of thinking will drive you batty! Having a plan is fine, but trusting that a plan will materialize is even better.

Do Do Do let yourself dream and imagine whatever you like, let yourself be free without limitations, let yourself trust in a higher power that will take care of your needs and heart's desires. Allow this sense to enter into your thought rather than chaos filled with human footsteps of how to get from A to B.

Stepping back for a moment, taking situations and self out of the picture, often offers us peace of mind.

NYC in 1 Week!!! YAY!

michigan oh michigan

The love of my life, the place I dream about during the year (winter specifically), where my childhood memories live, the place that taught me to love the sun and love to swim; this place is now cold and rainy. haha It's so sad! I know I shouldn't complain at all, I'm lucky to have a place to go like this, but I've only been able to come this summer 3 times. The first visit was a bit iffy weather wise, the second had beautiful weather but was cut short, and this visit has only given us one great beach day and its almost time to leave. Now I love our little cabin in the woods and listening to the wind in the trees and the billowing waves, but I love basking in the sun and diving in the waves even more. Mother and I are a cute duo, trying to relax and not be too sad while we drink our coffee and read, but the truth is that we are both what you may call sun worshipers and definitely beach bums.

Fall is certainly in the air here. Fall - a new school year, new colors in the air, and new beginnings. My journey is getting ready for one of its big transitions this year. I'm going to go sublet in NYC in just a little over a week! This "girl time" with mom has been so nice to get ready for this next step. As well as being in such a serene and beautiful (when its not raining ha) place before I hit the city that is wall to wall people. I'm trying to soak as much nature in as possible. I'm always excited for new beginnings and I love that soon I will be working and filling my days with purpose. Remembering to balance things will be my goal, and remembering to be open minded, trusting, and loving. This transition will be a smooth one and I honestly think that it is the right next transition for me and my journy.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

- Proverbs 3

on the go.

Is this normal? As soon as I get a break from traveling or work I take about one or two days of absolute laziness then get super antsy to get back on the road and do something! I can try to make my "days off" feel productive with tasks like laundry, errands, and working out; but I do so enjoy a real job or sense of purpose. Don't get me wrong lazy days are nice, though I prefer to spend them with friends and not alone. I know - I can't forget about balance. So until I head towards my next destination I will just balance my days with productivity and peace.

My Lake Michigan.... my favorite place to relax, regroup, and get a great tan.

cats read books....

never stop dreaming

Recently a new friend and colleague (from CATS) booked a job on The Broadway! I was honored with play by play texts of what was happening next in the hiring process and have since heard updates of rehearsals and costume fittings. Oddly enough I do know other people/friends that have/had been on the Bway, but getting the information so perfectly second hand and in real time like that was such a thrill. I wasn't exactly surprised by my reaction, but I did get ridiculously excited! A mix of genuine happiness and excitement for the friend, plus a surge of amazement of how that must feel - to be booking a Broadway show - the dream, the goal, the highest standard of so many! Just when you can feel somewhat complacent with your career you are reminded that these dreams are still there and still attainable. Each person's journey is so interesting and full of accomplishments large and small.

another attempt at writing... about cats

So I clearly am amazing at writing a blog consistently. I always had problems finishing journals! Oh well. Let's get a quick recap on whats been going on. Did an amazing run of CATS - such a fun show to do. Pretty sure that it is one of the hardest shows I've ever done (physically). The 'ole body got a little over crawling everywhere, and I only had to do it for a week. But it was very interesting to explore the character of a cat. And scaring/messing with people in the audience was pretty fun too. Nothing will compare however to the amazing thrill every time I got to do my "specialty" number (thats right - i can do double cartwheels!) and of course the Jellicle Ball - a 13 minute dance off. Such a great workout and so exhilarating!
This was also another pleasant experience as far as cast and creative team were concerned. Everyone was so "with it" and genuine. It doesn't always happen that you click with people in your cast or that the cast as a whole gets along so well. This group or tribe as they kept saying, really bonded and stuck together as we strove to achieve the amazing feat of learning CATS in a week. The veterans were unbelievably patient and kind, and wouldn't stop "gushing" over us newbies. I believe I made some great new friendships, rekindle some lovely old ones, and feel the beginning of something on the horizon perhaps...

oh and WV worked its magic for me once again - last summer i got a call to go on the Pajama Game tour and this summer i got a similar call..... interesting so interesting...

today

Tech Day = SUCCESS! The most productive and chill tech rehearsal here in WV. We even got out an hour early. Now bed before more rehearsal tomorrow and opening night!

Producer Run Thru

Success! Great Producer run thru. Everyone seems very pleased with the show thus far. Our director even said we were perhaps her best cast yet! So exciting! Lots of Fiddler cast members were supporting us in the audience tonight which was so sweet. Even Eddie Mekka of Laverne and Shirley fame! Long day of tech ahead of us, but team CATS will survive!

Cats - Day 6: The final full rehearsal day

We did it! We learned CATS in 6 days. Amazing isn't it? We ran the whole show today and even though I still have lots of things to work on (choreography and transitions) I made huge progress during this run and didn't feel like a complete goof. Being a cat is a lot harder than one would think. You have to think about how you are moving and reacting all the time. It's so easy (especially when you feel lost) to turn into casual human you again. But you can't do it! That makes it even more obvious you have no clue! haha!

So still lots to work on as I said, but I'm so proud of this cast - proud of the newbies (like me) for digesting all of this information and proud of the veterans for all of their patience and care. They really connect with this piece and its so touching to see. You forget how amazing this music is and when you sit and listen to Memory, among others, it sends chills down your back. I've seen more than one veteran tear up while doing these highly emotional moments and that to me is so touching and one of the many reasons I love theatre. There is a sense of comradeship, artistry, and that sense that this is bigger than yourself. Bigger than the show or the people. As artists we give and share and our blessed to have these gifts to do so with. I'm so grateful to have another chance to express this joy!