Day 37: Awesome Audiences

There are so many elements that go into making a musical successful, but tonight I truly discovered the necessity of the most important part, the audience. They are the reason we perform. They help us perform. We feed off of their responses to the show and feed off of their energy. If the audience is uninterested the actors can lose the pep in the performance. It's important especially for a comedy show because the laughter is crucial for the actors. At the end of the show, we don't bow because we have big egos and crave applause, but we want to thank the audience for coming. Also, we want to thank them for staying off their phones during the show. So this is a word to all the audience members for any performance anywhere that reads this: you are an important part of the show and our entertainment is our way to thank you. So go out and be an audience member and let the actors ask the famous musical question from Gypsy, May we, or let us, entertain you.?!!!

The reason I made this post is because we had the best audience that was the most responsive tonight. Thanks. That is all. Tomorrow is my day off. Hallelujah!!!

Day 36: The Birthday of the King

Please do not be fooled by the title of this post. This post has nothing to do with the classic hymn of Christmas.

Today is the birthday of the king of Broadway, Richard Rodgers. For those who don't know who he is, my question is why? But just in case people don't know, he wrote the music for the classic musicals Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, Sound of Music, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera (king and I? Yeah, he wrote that one too). He wrote beautiful scores and songs that are still popular today. His music is timeless. If someone asked me who I want to be like when I grow up, I would answer Richard Rodgers. I hope his legacy continues through broadway revivals of his classic musicals or even remakes of the movie musicals based on his stage hits.

Richard Rodgers:
Shall I tell you what I think of you? You're something wonderful. I have dreamed of being just like you. It's a puzzlement me to know how you could be such a genius. When I'm sad I whistle a happy tune. You taught me to climb every mountain and reminded me that I never walk alone. Your birthday is in the month when June is bustin out all over. I'm getting to know you everyday by studying your music. When we begin to perform your musical, every night will be a some enchanted evening. Your musicals are my favorite things. I always talk happy talk about you. You're a wonderful guy, a cockeyed optimist, and everyone's honey bun. Tonight, let's remember Richard Rodgers by dancing. Shall we dance?!!!

Day 35: Rehearsals

Yesterday, the rehearsals for a The King and I began musically, but today is the day that it actually begins to take shape one scene at a time. We blocked five scenes with their corresponding songs today and rehearsed the ballet vocals: we kiss in a shadow, the opening with I whistle a happy tune, shall I tell you what I think of you, something wonderful and its reprise, and most importantly while most annoyingly the schoolroom scene with getting to know you. I love that song but if you heard it thousands of times you would get tired of it too. I must give a shout out to the child wranglers who have the patience to manage the kids. I must also give a shoutout to our leading lady, Jenna, who is very sick, but is a trooper pressing through to learn her role while in a tight corset and hoop skirt. She already can't breathe because of congestion, the corset couldn't possibly help. It was a very productive day and we will continue to learn the king and I tomorrow. Here's a photo from rehearsal. Goodnight.

Day 34: Ummm...

Tonight, I'm very tired. I'm so tired that I can't think of what to write about. Therefore, I will just say goodnight. Look forward to a more exciting post tomorrow. That is all.

Day 33: Opening Night #2

Tonight, we opened Monty Python's Spamalot. After the one and a half run throughs earlier in the day, I didn't think it would come together. There were still several glitches and kinks that were problem spots this afternoon. However, once places were called and the curtain went up tonight, all the pieces magically fell into place. Theatre is truly a magical thing. It lets you escape to another world for a few hours and be highly entertained. The audience was so responsive tonight, and I can't wait for more audiences to experience the slapstick comedy of Spamalot. Tonight, was exciting but tomorrow will be my favorite day of the whole summer. Tomorrow is the music learning and read/sing through day of the king and I. My excitement is so high that I'll barely be able to sleep. I'll be whistling a happy tune while I fall asleep. Goodnight.

Day 32: Tedious Tech

Spamalot is a monster of a show. The costumes, sets, music, lighting, and sound are all crazy and over the top. There are a ton of scene shifts, quick changes, and other things that make the lives of actors and techies very challenging. We put all of these elements today together for the first time. Tech is a tedious nightmare, but once it all works, the painstakingly long hours are worth it. We had several glitches today and I wonder how we will be ready for opening tomorrow. I know it will come together somehow. It always does. And then, when it does, the magic of theater becomes alive and it's thrilling. Now I'm exhausted. Goodnight.

Day 31: Practically Perfect Perkins

Sorry to be posting so late. Today, I'm celebrating one month of adventures. It's been fun with some emotional obstacles. I'm learning so much. I've met so many friends. I've been doing shows. I'm about to start rehearsing my favorite show. I celebrated today by eating at my favorite restaurant, Perkins. It really is the greatest restaurant. I think it's even beaten Outback. Tonight I had a healthy Tuscan grilled chicken which made it okay to have the best caramel apple pie for dessert. It was delicious. It is pictured below.

Day 30: Closing Night

Tonight was closing night of Man of La Mancha. I'm exhausted now. That is all.

Day 29: The Impossible Dream

Today was another double show day. Tonight's performance was also the next to last show of Man of La Mancha. I didn't realize just how beautiful the show was until I've dived into it. The talent of the cast and crew has made me enjoy and appreciate it even more. I've had a blast even though I've been exhausted from rehearsing Spamalot during the day. Tomorrow will be bittersweet. I'm glad that it's time to move on through the summer and open the next show, but I'll miss Man of La Mancha. It will always be my first SSMT show, and it will always remind me that I'm living the dream. It's the impossible dream, but yet, day by day, it seems to become true. Here's some photos from the production of Man of La Mancha since my hometown folks couldn't see it. If you're in the area this summer though, drop by and say hey and see a show.

Day 28: Drum Roll Please

Previously, on David's blog... Lunch was a problem yesterday for me, but someone(s) showed mercy on me. Who are they? Drum roll please...

The Stage Managers. If you're wondering what a stage manager is or what they do, metaphorically they rule the theater and are the key to the gates of success. It's impossible to be specific about what they do because they do everything. They call the show, they get things if you need them, they control breaks, they write things so others won't forget them, and most importantly, they control lunch time. Sometimes the stage managers can be overlooked and under appreciated, but the theatre wouldn't survive one second without them. The most we thank them generally is thank you places when they tell us it's time to begin. Personally, I think they should make a million dollars a day and be required to hear thank you 10 times every hour. I can't express enough my love for stage managers. To all the stage managers, not just in SSMT, but everywhere the theater is a better place because of you. Thank you. Here are two of the SSMT stage managers, Tori and Emily. Not pictures is the head stage manager Ariana because she's too busy for photos.

Day 27: Lunch

Lunch is always a struggle for me it seems. In high school, time was condensed and it was impossible because I was cut in line. At perimeter, I couldn't have lunch because my classes were during my lunch time. Now, I'm getting the chance to eat lunch, or at least I said that until today. The most difficult thing about my job is the movement around the conservatory building of the keyboard equipment. It's heavy, sweat-causing, exhausting, and too much exercise. The moving happened to fall in my lunch break. I needed lunch and I was hungry. Exhaustion set in, and when I felt like I was going to have to continue rehearsal on passion drive. However, someone showed mercy. Someone provided me with the greatest lunch ever. I never realized how important lunch is but when I lacked it, when I needed it, I realized it is a very important meal that is sometimes taken for granted. However, there is something, no, someone, that is taken for granted even more than lunch. They gave me a lunch opportunity, but to find out who check back tomorrow. To be continued...

Day 26: Two for One

The most exhausting part of this exciting job involves days like these. Today, there were two performances. It's very tiring, but it's so rewarding. There are so many people in the audiences, especially the elderly of the matinee. They love the show. It really makes the hard work and long hours pay off. The audience enters into this world of theater and it's 2 hours of incredible entertainment. This job is amazing. Life is amazing. It's amazing, exhausting, and the amazing exhaustion is just doubled on the days of two for one theater.

Day 25: Let It Go

This post is a serious one that is more of my venting advice about situations. Please don't ask what situations I'm referring to because there are multiple ones. Also, note this post is not about Frozen or it's hit song.

Never spread rumors and never start rumors. Even if they are true or you have a good reason to share it just don't. It gets you into trouble and causes a lot of conflict. Also, don't make fun of people or criticize them behind their back. The former shouldn't even happen in front of their back.

Sometimes rumors are started or other situations happen that we can't go back and change no matter how much we would like to so we have to learn to let it go. We have to let things breathe, move on, and learn from our mistakes. Life is a learning process, and we can't let errors in our past put us in a rut and keep us from moving forward. That's what I've learned since I've been here.

Day 24: 3 weeks

3 weeks down, 7 more to go. Normally, when people say that, but it's sad to me because the summer is going by too fast. I'm having so much fun. I'm meeting talented and amazing people. I'm working under great directors, musical directors, and choreographers. I'm learning, living, and loving life. I've been through hiccups like emotional obstacles, sickness, laundry, and exhaustion. I get paid to do what I love. How many people can say that? I'm having a blast and I feel so blessed to be living the dream, and I can't wait to see what the next 7 weeks have in store. Below are some pictures some friends had taken that were just sent to me from the day of the lake party. I think it's pretty obvious from my huge smile that I'm having the time of my life.

Day 23: The Show Must Go On

If you have been reading my blog, then you know that I have been sick this weekend. It was the worst today, but I had to press through the illness. I haven't been the only sick one. Both musical directors are sick, I'm sick, and a trumpet player is sick. It was so bad that the musical director couldn't conduct the show and I felt very sick. However, the show must go on.

The assistant musical director conducted, and I somehow made it through the show. I had wrong notes though because of my ill distraction and exhaustion.

I have a lot to do tomorrow so I need to get better now. I'm not really allowed to take meds because of a drug interaction risk, but I'm taking the risk because I need to get well ASAP. I have a big week this week. Here's hoping for a drug reaction free night of sleep and better health tomorrow. Nobody should be sick on their day off.

Day 22: Speechless

The title says it all. Nothing is wrong. It's just that I'm so tired and still slightly under the weather that I don't feel like blogging. Plus, I can't really think of what to say for this post, so I'll just say I'm speechless.

Day 21: Summer Stock Sickness

The true summer stock experience has now begun as I reach the end of the third week of my adventures. We rehearse one show in the morning and perform a completely different show that night. It's crazy, but the most fun thing I've ever been a part of.

Unfortunately, it has made me exhausted and run down. I've been under the weather last night and today, but I'm slowly getting better. I can't wait for Monday when I can rest because it's my day off. Tonight, I had my favorite comfort food at my favorite restaurant Perkins. It was the thanksgiving meal. Just so you can understand that it is excellent enough to get all the time here's a photo. Time to sleep so I can feel better before a morning rehearsal and two performances tomorrow.

Day 20: Sign in Please

Do you remember the old game show What's My Line? Do you remember the famous line that Mr. Daly said, Come in, and sign in please? Are you old enough to remember that? The better question might be how do I know about the old game shows? The answer is I love them. Another question is what does that game show set up have to do with my college adventures? Well I'll tell you...

This job is so surreal because it is just like things work in a professional broadway setting. Whenever I see a behind the scenes video from a broadway show the tour guide always starts by showing the Sign in sheet. Up until now I've never dealt with one, but with the professionalism of this environment, I have to initial when I arrive at work. It might seem silly that I get so excited over initialing a piece of paper with a list of names that includes me, but it's a thrilling dream come true. To give you a glimpse of the start of my job here's a photo. I'm tired now, so I will sign out because at nine AM my boss will be saying, come in, and sign in please.

Day 19: Opening Night

I could have danced all night. While we aren't doing my fair lady this season, that is the song I'm singing tonight. Today was the first performance of the season. Live theater, especially a day as important and exciting as opening, always leave me on an energetic high afterwards. This is because I'm doing what I love. This is such a surreal experience for me and I feel so blessed and lucky for this opportunity.

I get to play for the show now which I will explain in a later post but in this one I will address how tonight was. It was phenomenal, amazing, wonderful, talent filled, and exciting. There was a sound glitch but for that being the only obvious problem that's really good in my opinion. The cast crew and orchestra all work so hard and do amazing. All of the rehearsals have paid off and now we can share this masterpiece of theatre with the world. If you're in Winchester anytime through the 22nd come see the show. Info can be found at shenandoahsummermusictheatre.com.

I had a blast tonight especially with my Perkins thanksgiving dinner being paid for by a lovely couple who was traveling through and having a reminiscent of high school theater experience at Waffle House after. I must get sleep now because rehearsals for Spamalot begin in the morning. Maybe while I sleep I will dream some impossible dreams. It's late now because it's really 1:42 even though the blog time is somehow three hours different, so I must go to bed now. What a lovely, opening night!!!

Day 18: Dressed for Success

Today, we added the final element of the show: costumes. Let me tell you, those people are so talented but in their costumes they're even better probably because they can see themselves as the person they are portraying. They were dressed for success.

The orchestra and the techies have to wear all black. However, that morbid, dark color represents a job well done for those people. It is their way of being dressed for success.

Even my meal tonight was dressed for success because it was presented so beautifully. It was Perkins of course. It
was a crosciant (however you spell that) chicken salad sandwich with a very fresh strawberry salad. It was simply delicious. A picture is below.

Tomorrow we open. I feel like I just started this journey and now the first show prep is already finishing. Thursday we will dress again in rehearsal clothes but no matter what attire we wear we will always dress for success.

Day 17: The Lady of the Lake

I'm already moving on in thought to the next show Spamalot which has a leading lady called the lady of the lake. Today, I met the girl who will play her, but I also met the real lady of the lake.

Robyn, our choreographer, with the help of the cast and some crew, threw a great SSMT party at her lake house. The people were great and there was some awesome cookout food, fun conversation, water activities, relaxation, music, and just in general a great time. It was the best party I have ever been to even though I haven't been to many parties, but today's made up for the lack of parties in my early years. It was a phenomenally good time.

Tomorrow the final piece of the shows puzzle comes together: the costumes. There are two dress rehearsals and then we open on Wednesday. On Thursday Spamalot rehearsals begin. Did I mention I'm having a blast? Here's some photos to prove it.

Day 16: Tech, Turkey and TONYs

Today is a national holiday for me and the theater community. Even though I said turkey in the title of this blog it's not Thanksgiving. It's the day of the TONY awards. It's basically the Oscars for theater. It's the biggest night of the year for broadway. So of course being at a conservatory and summer stock program, we had a viewing party. I had a turkey and dressing dinner at Perkins before so it was like thanksgiving in regards to food. Also the TONY awards are as big of a holiday as thanksgiving. Today was a blast. We even had a great, very smooth tech rehearsal where we added lights, set, orchestra, and sound to the show. It was an awesome day. Below are some pictures from the party.

Day 15: Tired typing

I'm too tired to say much, so I will say three things.

I bought a TV and a lamp.
The show will be great.
Friends are awesome.

That is all. Goodnight.

Day 14: Happy/Sad Journeys

Life is a journey. My journey right now involves a summer job and anticipation of a new college in the fall. Some people like my niece, Katelyn, who is the most adorable 16 month old baby in the world is just starting her journey. Some have unplanned ones, some have plans. Some people are older but are still as young as I am. Some people are at the end of the journey, and some have reached the ultimate journey of eternal life in Heaven. All of that to say that parts of the journey are easy and some of them are hard. Also, some are happy and some are sad.

My current journey is a happy one of new adventures. However, last year today I dealt with a sad journey because my papa took the happy journey Home. As I'm sad today looking back to last year, my happiness is restored because I know my papa would want me to be happy. I know he is so proud of me and everything I'm accomplishing now. I do miss him, but my journey continues, but it will continue with my papa in my heart making even the saddest moments of the journey happier.

Day 13: The Walks of Life

I realize today that being an adult is hard. There are so many things that have to be balanced: work, domestics, necessary shopping, some sleep, and the rare chances for fun. I didn't realize how spoiled I was to get so much help with stuff from my family friends until I arrived here to fend for myself.

I keep meaning to go shopping for some essentials, but I'm always so exhausted after rehearsal. I always end up eating at Perkins because I'm too tired or food less to eat in my dorm, but Perkins is delicious and not too expensive. I had an amazing thanksgiving dinner there tonight.

My car was still at the dorm so I thought that it was a good idea to walk. It was not a good idea. Am I really so suburban that I can't work a crosswalk signal thing? Do they not work here in Winchester? There wasn't really a button just this sensor thing that kept beeping. Somehow I made it across the street and back, but from now on I guess safety will trump exercise. To all the adults out there, more power to you. It's tough.

Day 12: Fun Exhaustion

Hello Everyone,

This is the part of summer stock where exhaustion starts to set in. We are in run throughs right now, so I played through the show twice today. Then, I had to wait while I got my serviced. That's exhausting because it's boring. I have much more rehearsal still to go, but I can make it through because I love it so much. Luckily, for now anyways, I get to come back to my room and sleep, and then sleep some more until the next morning. It's a great feeling to be exhausted from having fun. I love this job. Hopefully though, I'll be awake enough tomorrow night to get some shopping done. I need to buy some food, a lamp, and a TV. Although, sleep might trump it. We will see... Hope everyone is enjoying the new version of my blog.

Day 11: The New Blog

Hello Everyone,

Today is the first day from my new blog. I'm not too sure how this blog works, so it will be a learning experience for all of us. Apparently, I was getting too personal on Facebook and sharing too much. Facebook wasn't created for blogs.

In regards to what I did today, we ran the show, and then, we ran the second act again. I nail the rhythms every time now. I had a great nap after rehearsal followed by an amazing late night dinner at McDonald's. All fast food restaurants up here are much better than the ones in Conyers.

I don't know much about this yet. I don't know if you can comment on it or anything, but we will see how it goes. If it's too confusing, I will restart the Facebook blog.