Updates

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. One whole week to be exact, but don't worry because I have been up to lots of wonderful stuff! So, here it is, an entire week of updates in one handy post for your viewing pleasure:

Thursday: Thursday started with another job interview that brought me to a new part of the city. Luckily for me, it was just along the blue line so I didn't have to navigate any transfers and there wasn't any drama getting there. The interview lasted longer than I had anticipated but it wasn't really a big deal and I just went there and back without any other adventuring to report. I made lunch for me and Janell. It was a black bean/sweet potato dish that was served over rice that Janell really enjoyed but I did not. I still have leftovers that I'm trying to figure out how to use. After that, it was a busy night at the theatre as it was our true opening night. Last Wednesday, we did a performance for a tour group but treated it as a final dress rehearsal with an audience since it had been added at the last minute. The show wasn't perfect but the cast is learning the ropes right along with me. After the show, I went out with the stage manager, whose name is Ryan. I think the two of us were destined to be friends, which is good, because we are basically going to be on top of each other as long as I'm the house manager and he's the stage manager.

Friday: I slept in on Friday. The show is pretty exhausting and I had been out late, so I had a lazy day until I had to go back to the theatre. This show was truly, truly, truly exhausting. I know that we'll have more like it but I don't look forward to it because we had lots and lots of people who didn't just get drunk during the performance but came to the show absolutely wasted. There was a large party bus that just parked itself outside of the church and they started banging on the doors until we let them in. When we did let them in, they brought their alcohol with them. Yup, they brought booze into the church. The church also doesn't have AC and I didn't realize until way later in the night that they took the little hand fans that the church had in the lobby with them and broke them. So not only did these people bring alcohol into a church (and leave their empty cans in the pews) but they also stole from the church. NEWS FLASH: This is an actual church. We did not build it for our show. It isn't a set. It is an actual place of worship! So, after the show, Ryan and I went out for another drink because we needed it!

Saturday: We actually had "an away show," if you could call it that. A group in the suburbs had booked us to come out and perform. I went with, even though there wasn't much house managing for me to do since it wasn't our house but I was ok with it because I was getting paid and got to spend time with my new friends in the cast.

Sunday: Woo! Sunday was my day off! I had planned on going to writer's group on Sunday but ended up skipping it in favor of baking muffins to freeze so that I could pull them out for a fast snack on busy days (of which there will be many in the near future). Sunday night, however, I was out and about again for a rather unusual family reunion. My Grandma's cousin, Renate, was coming to Chicago to meet a literal long-lost cousin who she'd grown up a block away from. (For my personal history, Renate brought me to The Nutcracker when I was little which was my first ever professional performance of any kind and something that I still remember today). They had absolutely no idea that they were related all this time and this was their first time meeting as family. The story was pretty crazy -- so crazy, in fact, that CBS came to film them. I got to meet Renate's adult children for the first time along with these new distant cousins, who yes, I am also related to. I was under-dressed for dinner, unfortunately, but no one seemed to mind (I didn't realize that this was going to be a fancy dinner party, sorry!). It was a truly special night and I can't believe that I was included in it. I will share the piece that CBS put together when it airs. Knowing that I now have family in the city is a comfort as well and I hope to see them again soon.

Monday: Woo! A new week! It was my first day at my new internship with Lookingglass Theatre Company. They've won a regional Tony award so it's kind of a big deal that I'm working with them. I mean, I'm not getting paid, but it's still cool! My first day went well, I'm working with their youth ensemble and I got to meet some cool kids so I'm excited for what comes next!

Today: Today, I've been hanging out, skyping my best friend, Mr. Ryan Lind and watching Glee. This evening, I will be starting my second internship along with going to a production meeting at CTW.

So, that's me. Peace and love, everyone.