A good week indeed

Hi Friends!

So this past week Loretta and I were in North Richland Hills, Texas and it is so HOT here! We're staying at the Comfort Inn which is literally across the street from the N. Richland Hills Community Center where we had the rehearsals and show this week, so that's really convenient. They also serve waffles as big as Texas! Score. We had a few workshops this week Makeup, Creative Dramatics, and Improv we had a great group of kids. I did have two girls cry during the makeup class, break my heart in TWO! Ugh! One girl was upset not because she had a "Goatee" on her face but because I tried to get her involved with the group and say one of King Arthur's lines. Needless to say she was really embarassed to talk infront of everyone and the tears came shortly after. Note to self:....pick a little boy. The second girl cried because she was afraid her mom would get mad, after her MOM signed her up for the workshop, after she said she was ok with makeup on her face, AFTER she raised her hand for me to pick her. Note to self: pick outgoing little girls. Anyways! After that everything else went swimmingly for the rest of the workshops, so thats good. :)

This week the kids were all sooo great! We nominated a bunch of the kids for the programs in Missoula! The boy who played Arthur this past week was so Emo and added awesome pauses at really funny places, he was great. Our Merlin I dare say was better than our Merlin in Stillwater, OK. She played it with this "Ronnie Brady" old man voice which was TOTALLY original. Nobody ever plays it that way and she had me laughing all the time in rehearsals. Funny thing though, her Mom approached us at the end of the week and was ecstatic because her daughter is always so shy. She couldn't believe how much she branched out. Weird because Loretta and I thought she was really extroverted and had been doing theatre for awhile. Nope not at all. We also got to work with a girl who has dyslexia and a boy who suffers severly with a Bipolar disorder. Come show day they did PHENOM!

I also got to go to the Community Center where we were performing that week and I got an awesome gym discount and even got to do some gymnastics AND watch a volleyball game. Best gym day EVER! Not to mention that when Loretta and went to fulfill our weekly Olive Garden craving we saw this public art of a 5ft tall ARMADILLO! It's not the world's largest or alive so I can't check it off our "Things to see on the road" list but it was still pretty cool. Another bonus was we got to meet up with another TAD team: Eli and Drew. We got to meet up with them for dinner a couple nights, went bowling, saw Captain America and got to see their show Cinderella. They're show is totally different from ours. They're show is based around them as the narrator and we play more just a character in the show while the kids sing all the songs. I like it better that way. I feel like it makes the show more about the kids then about us the Tour Actors. It's a good thing I like this show because we found out that Loretta and I are continuing with this show for the fall unlike some of the other teams who have to learn a new show at the end of August. Loretta and I also found out that we will be heading to Washington in the Fall. Forks, Washington HERE I COME! (See list to your Right)

We got to do a lot of fun things this past week with the kids and Eli and Drew but the highlight was going and seeing the new HARRY POTTER MOVIE! We couldn't make it to the midnight showing which made it even better when we showed up in the middle of the afternoon in our King Arthur's Quest Costumes. I went as the dragon and Loretta was dressed in the Merlin costume. We only wore the costumes for pics and then took 'em off before we got our seats. We might've sat in bubblegum. No fun. :(  But the movie was epic! Nobody tell Micah but I'm gonna read the books pretty soon. Hahah! Love ya Micah.

Needless to say we've had a great week. :)

-Jen

We made a list.

Loretta and I decided that we should make a list of things we want to see/do while on the road this year and here it is:

1. See a tornado, in the distance or from a window in a safe underground haven.
2. A living armadillo not roadkill
3. Horseback riding
4. The World's Largest _____(insert any and everything)______. (touristy spots)
5. Go Line Dancing
6. A legit Mexican wearing a legit sombrerro in real life
7. A scorpion (CHECK! Saw that in Austin, Texas)
8. A rodeo
9. A room filled with porcelin dolls because that would be soooo creepy!
10. Something haunted
11. Buy a "Georgia Peach" from a fruit stand in Georgia.

12. Visit Forks, Washington where "Twilight" was based!

We'll def be adding to this list throughout the year. :)
-Jen

Fun Facts

Hi Friends!
So I'm a little behind on my blogs. Whoopsie! I'll split it up so it's not one giant post. Your welcome. :)

I had a wonderful week back at home visiting family and friends, I was really sad to leave. I constantly find myself thinking on the road, "I NEED MY GILLS!" and "If only they were here...". I know they're with me in spirit so that helps but it just doesn't do the trick like a face to face girl talk and tea. I didn't realize how much I missed everyone until I got back to work the next week in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. One thing I love about my friends is everyday is an adventure. UGH I MISS YA'LL! Not really a Fun Fact but still a Fact.

Anyways, like I said, Loretta and I were scheduled to be in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and we had a lot of fun. On the way to Leavenworth we drove through Joplin, Missouri and saw where a tornado was there just a few weeks before and destroyed everything. We were speechless. Loretta and I stayed at a Days Inn courtesy of MCT because we were performing/working with kids of an army base and for some reason with army bases lodging happens through MCT. Fun Fact. Another Fun Fact: after a week on an army base, where if you are one mile over the speed limit you get a ticket, I actually drive the speed limit now. I was TOO scared not to drive the speed limit, my Dad would be so proud. 

The kids were so great in Kansas and our Contact Julia was so welcoming and kind. I just wanted to hug her all the time! I didn't though...that would be weird and probably against contract. However, she gave me a big hug at the end of the week. Score! She also kind of reminded me of my highschool choir teacher Mrs. Breen. Maybe thats why I liked her, she seemed familiar. This was also my first week being backstage. I was supposed to be backstage acting as a stage manager in Arkansas but if you read a blog or two down you'll read that THAT didn't happen. It was pretty chill backstage. I had two wonderful helpers who Loretta and I suspected had a little somethin somethin goin on (wink wink).

Fun Fact: on the day of the show is when we actually hold our dress rehearsal just an hour or so before the actual performance which sounds weird and stressful but when you actually do it, it's not so bad. It keeps things moving and the day before is the day the kids are supposed to be Off book. On the day where they're supposed to be Off book we tell the kids all about calling for "line" when you can't rem your line. There is one part in the show where the Mini Merlin threatens to turn a Giant into a duck and says "I'll turn him into a duck!". Well in the actual performance the 5-7 year olds are out on the stage (by themselves) and the Mini Merlin couldn't remember his line. He then said "line!" after a very long pause (there was a mumble of laughter from the audience) and the little girl beside him said "duck". His response: "WHERE!". Hahahaha too cute! At the end of the show Loretta and I said a few "Goodbyes" and actually got a few cards. The smallest a cutest little girl gave me a carnation after the show! I felt like a Disney Princess. Also Loretta and I each got a giftcard to starbucks. Fun Fact: We're awesome.

Loretta and I also got to do some fun things in Kansas like swimming and making videos at the pool, a Carousel Musuem, ate dinner at a local saloon, had acting workshops with some of the kids, explored a little of Missouri's countryside on our way to Olive Garden (Yep we crossed the state line for Olive Garden, only a 20 min drive, worth it.) and then went to the William Rockhill Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas. At the museum my eyes beheld the most beautiful sight they have ever....beheld.....The World's Largest Shuttlecock. Overall the week at Fort Leavenworth was a success, Fun Fact. :)

-Jen

Support the Local!

After a crazy week in Arkansas, Loretta and I were both ready for a little rest and relaxation which worked out nicely because the next week we had off for the 4th of July! I ended up hopping on a plane on the 3rd and made it just in time to watch Thomas Road's Celebrate America Fireworks. That was a REAL treat. My Dad, Grandma and dog and I all sat outside in the mall parking lot and watched the night explode with color and gliiiiiitter. :) On the actual fourth, my Dad and I relaxed at the house then we went out on a little to Red Lobster followed by the new Transformers movie. I love dates with my Dad. Wednesday was another day of resting and that night I meet up with some of my favorite Gills at Geralds (a local restaurant in Wyndhurst) for dinner. I love that Baby Bleu salad. Afterwards we met up with some of the guys for catching up and a few laughs. I also met up with an old friend that night and we drove around town, just like old times. It was really nice.

Wednesday was possibly my favorite day because Allison, Micah, Sarah and I went to The Ploughcraft Tea room (another local spot in Lynchburg) for afternoon tea!!!!! We had wonderful homemade English crumpets, little sandwhiches, an endless pot of tea and time with my Gills. Priceless. I then went to my good friend Courtney's Zumba class which was SO much fun. Courtney and I go waaaay back. Our relationship began when we were both in a show called Cabaret. We wore corsets and danced on chairs, the rest is history. Courtney has always been a great choreographer and is always doing those workout videos, not to mention she went to school for education. When she told me she was now a Zumba instructor, I wasn't surprised and said "SIGN ME UP!". After Zumba she and I went to another local place in Lynchburg (Are you getting that I like local restaurants yet?) called Vinnys and basically REDID everything we just worked off by eating a giant cheese pizza with a side of Ranch. YUM! I then met up with Micah and we made cupcakes for our friend Shaun's Birthday. A busy day indeed.

Thursday was also a fun day because that  day consisted of preparing for a cookout with my friends. This meant cleaning and cooking ALL day with Dad. Everyone showed up for steaks and homemade white chocolate and raseberry cheesecake, thats how we do it at my house. :) My Dad also fixed all kinds country fixens such as two kinds of dip for our chips, salad, HOMEMADE Macaroni and Cheese, corn on the cob, deviled eggs.....it was delish and I KNOW your jealous. We not only had good food but we had Badminton! I have to be honest, I'm gonna say this as humbly as I can, I'm awesome at Badminton.

Awesome.
Haha!

The night ended with the final goodbyes and laughs. It was so hard to say "Goodbye".
I miss my friends.
Friday was family day again. My Grandma came up and she, Dad and I spent the whole day together just relaxing at the house. It was so nice.
Saturday was a sad day. My Dad and I left early in the morning and headed to the airport.
I hate saying Goodbye to him. Thankfully at the end of August I'll be able to come home again so that helps.
Till then Lynchburg!
-Jen

180

Hi Friends!
Loretta and I had an AWESOME experience in Stillwater, Oklahoma! If Lynchburg wasn't so great, you don't know how great something is until its gone, I'd move there. We didn't want to leave! The kids were great and if you read my last blog Oklahoma knows how to make a girl feel loved.
Now the 180.
North Little Rock, Arkansas:

We had 144 kids audition in a loud, echoey, gym, it was NUTS! Instead of the performance being on Saturday it was actually on Friday and the preformance space was on the other side of town which meant we had to put up the set, lights and sort out costumes all in one night. Doesn't sound that bad? You. Don't. Even. KNOW! The kids in Arkansas were all great kids but I think they just didn't want to be there and on the day of the performance we had 12 kids drop out, 3 were pulled out by their parents because "they were embarrassed" of how the kids were acting. An hour before the show we had to cut the show and make it a Musical Review. Loretta, our Contact, and I all felt that the kids would be more comfortable doing parts of the show that they knew, the songs and mini scenes. This was also the week were I was supposed to be backstage for the show but Loretta had never done a Cabaret before, so she asked me to step in a few moments before the show.

I had to make up a show on the spot.

Great.

The show was kind of a blur and lasted for a totally of 15 minutes with all the shows songs and a little improv fluff by yours truly. I don't remember much of what I said but I DO remember saying, "There once was a distant country far far way, right off of Kennedy Street (a local street in North Little Rock)..." and said something like, "King Arthur was under a lot of stress! He had so many problems the ghost, dragon, and giant. He didn't know what to do. So what do you do in a musical? Ya sing it out, TAKE IT PEGGY!".

I'm in awe of my wit.

HA!

Literally across the bridge was another tour team so we met up with Ted and Bridget for dinner and then on Saturday spent a day at the mall and just relaxing. It was a good start to the beginning of a vacation in Lynchburg.

Loretta and I had a girls night complete with pizza and some serious facebook stalking. Not of eachother....that would be weird. 

-Jen