Trippingly on the Tongue: Okay finally...an update.

Happy 2013!

I have had a request to start this up again, and with all the things going on in my life I figured it's time. Getting back into something like this is kind of like getting back into the gym, or finally going through all those college papers you've kept: by the time you get to it, you're kind of embarrassed how long it took you to get to it.

So to recap my life since the last time I updated. Ed and I went up to Massachusetts to run our 6 week summer camp, Summer On Stage. It was hard work and there were a few times I felt like I was going to lose my mind. We had over 40 kids in each three-week session, nearly tripling our enrollment from 2011. Luckily, we had amazing helpers from local middle schools and high schools who volunteered their time with us and our Lead Teen Apprentice was fantastic. Ed and I wound up writing her a college recommendation and she has already received a letter from Emerson in the Communications department. Unfortunately, Ed and I didn't get much of a summer to relax and we spent a week longer after the camp than we thought because of how much we needed to go through, repaint, and organize. We were exhausted and I never knew so much manual labor would go into running a summer theatre camp. In any case, we learned our lesson and in the future we will make smarter decisions regarding our schedule and sanity.

In no way do I regret it. We had an amazing summer with the kids, our shows were the best they've ever been, and we even had our first new musical of the camp that was a hit. The kids learned and grew. We learned and grew. I really felt like my teaching flourished and I matured a lot. All in all, a great experience.

I wound up getting cast in a new musical with the company BCKSEET Productions, written by the incredibly talented Kate Brennan. The cast was AMAZING: Sarah Doherty, Jeremy Gable, Maria Konstantinidis, and Craig Bazan. The director, Brandon McShaffrey, is one of the best directors I've ever worked with. Ever. We started rehearsals mid-November and we opened 12.12.12. and ran through the holiday season to the 29th. We were fortunate enough to have a full pit orchestra, with piano, drums, violin, cello, and even a French horn. The sound was glorious and our audiences just loved it.

From L to R: Maria Konstandindis, Sarah Doherty, Jeremy Gable, Me, Craig Bazan

Ed was also involved in the holiday Panto at People's Light and Theatre Co in Malvern. PLTC is no stranger to the Panto, this being their 9th season of doing it, but this one was exceptionally different, being the first time it was written by the two directors Pete Pryor and Sam Bellomo. They also invited new people to join in on the Panto goodness and Ed was fortunate enough to play the villain character, Fu. If you don't know what a Panto is, it's a traditional style of British holiday show, where the audience is encouraged the cheer the protagonist, and boo the villain. There's usually at least one man in drag, and a fair amount of "cheeky" humor is involved. I've seen other Pantos at PLTC, but I must say, and I know I'm biased, but this one has been my favorite so far.

My work as a standardized patient has grown and I'm still working at Gymboree. I'm doing stuff on the side, for instance this year I worked as a Dickensian Villager in Macy's Santaland. My dear friend Mark posted on Facebook that they were looking for more villagers and I definitely didn't mind the extra money and I certainly had to time in December, so I took that on and I HAD A BLAST.

I would say 98% of the people that go through Dicken's Village are the sweetest, warmest people. They wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays, they tell you you look pretty, sometimes it can get pretty emotional in there, seeing that the story of A Christmas Carol is pretty sad and disturbing at times. The best was spending time with the diverse group of coworkers I had. Some people had been doing it for years, where other people this was their first or second year. For those of you who don't know what Dicken's Village is, it's the animatronic storytelling of A Christmas Carol and it's only at Macy's in Philadelphia. At the end, you can meet Santa. The costume I wore was very nicely made and authentic looking. It was so much fun and I look forward to the next time I get to do it.

Blitzen!

Inside Dicken's Village

So the big news: I've been applying to graduate school. I don't want to post too much about it because I'm kind of superstitious about it and I don't want to announce anything until I actually get into a school (that is, hopefully get in). I've been working with my old acting professor, Mark Wade and I've also been meeting with an actor and coach Peter Schmitz. I've gotten amazing feedback from them both and I'm feeling really confident about my auditions. I need to do a lot more work, but I have a solid structure under me. More on that to come.

Not everything has been good since I last updated. My dear friend, Reuben Mitchell, passed away in a motorcycle accident on November 12th. I'm still struggling with it and I know I will be for a long while. Reuben had come over to my place to day before he passed away, we ate food and hung out for a while, and I helped him with his website. I'm still devastated. Our community is devastated. Reuben was a fine young talent and was growing and growing. I first worked with Reubs on the Hamlet School Tour with Philly Shakespeare when he first came into town about two and a half years ago. I share so many memories and experiences with him that it's hard to think that I'll never be able to make more memories with him again. I'm completely heartbroken about it and sometimes I'm not really sure what to do with myself when I get overrun with grief. Thankfully this town and my boyfriend and my dear friends all know and understand how I feel and we will get through it. Perhaps we won't ever get over it, but we will get through it.

In Theatre Exile's production of "A Behanding in Spokane", from L to R: Pearce Bunting, Reuben, Amanda Schoonover

Ed and I finished out 2012 with a bang, celebrating the marriage between our friends Krista Apple and Dan Hodge. They had a glorious ceremony that we could all be a part of, it ended with a music surprise, and we danced and talked all night. The new year came, we kissed and celebrated, and reveled in the glory of what love can do for a community of people. I came to the conclusion that if I don't get into grad school this year, that's okay, because it means I get another year with these fabulous folks.

A new year's wedding sing-a-long

So many things happened, it's too much to report. There are many good things on the horizon, I assure you. Life can be so overwhelming, but we have to keep on going. What's the point of living if you aren't going to live? That's my mantra for 2013.

Take risks. Be responsible. Share love.