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

It's just one of the perks.

Hi Friends,

First off for my two followers, you may have noticed that my blogsite is different to that I would just like to say.... I got bored. :)
Secondly, being a TAD has many rewards. One is having an impact on someone's life and potentially being a role model. It's always really cool when a kid comes running up to you with something urgent to say but when it comes down to it they're just seeking your approval or attention.
"Miss Jennifer! Miss Jennifer! Miss Jennifer!" etc
"Yes?"
(pause)
"Is your hair real?"
You can also insert the following: "You look like Ariel.", "I like your cowboy boots!", and "Break a leg!!!!!!"
Seeing the kids faces light up like that really makes me feel good. Last week was sooooo awesome! The kids got their script on Monday, learned their blocking on Tuesday, and could've performed on Wednesday...offbook. The kids in Stillwater, Oklahoma were so fun and talented, I def felt blessed to perform with them later that week. Ok, now that we got the REAL important stuff out of the way, now I can talk about what REALLY matters.

People give us free stuff.

Now when I say free stuff I don't mean things like pencils or cheesy refriderator stuff. I mean we get FREE STUFF! Last week Loretta and I got to enjoy some of the local food with no charge to us. One day after rehearsal our Contact, Stephanie took us out for dinner at Eskimo Joes. Our meal consisted of an appetizer of delicious cheesy fries, a yummy sandwich and quite possibly the best chocolate milkshake Fo Free! Plus I got to keep the cup that my sweet tea was in. Sweeeeeet! We also got a free meal at Jossepi's which was a local italian restaurant and I LOOOVE Italian food. After the shows on Saturday, one of the families who had kids in the show took us to Mexico Joes where I got this awesome Hawaiian Enchalada. Again it was FO FREE! Side note: I got to keep my cups from these places too. No more old Shoney cups at my house. Woot woot! As if that wasn't enough, our accompanist took Loretta and I to go see Annie at a local theatre at no cost to us. Then the day of the show comes around and we get free snacks in the greenroom, chocolate rice krispy treats from the "Chocolate Factory" that were the size (and weight) of a brick, bags of assorted lindour truffles, $20 giftcards to Sonic, Eskimo Joe keychains (I've been looking for a new keychain for a while since my Puerto-Rico one broke at training.), annnd an extra LARGE cup from Eskimo Joes. Incase you haven't guessed, Eskimo Joes is a big thing in Stillwater Oklahoma. Huge infact. I'm really glad that most hotels have a gym so I can run off all that food.

As hard as it was to say goodbye to our loving kids and sponsors, the parting gifts helped. :)
I'm shallow.
Hahah!

-Jen

I like to respond in ALL CAPS!

Hey friends!

Oh.

My.

STARS.

Sooooo much has happend that I don't even really know where to begin, but I shall try.

(ahem)

We had our first week of camp last week in Austin, Texas and it was CRAZY! We made a few mistakes but thankfully we had our trainer, Kepler, help us out but sadly he couldn't fix everything. At the auditions, Loretta and I both miscounted the number of Camelotians, Knights and Squires. We accidently cast 20 Knights and Squires rather than 12....whooOopsie! Oh and speaking of knights, I was incharge of who got what color knight; we have a blue knight, a red knight, a black knight etc. Welp. I possibly cast an actual black kid as a black knight. Big. Whoopsie. In my defense I honestly cast him as that character because the black knight is kind of a rockstar in my opinion and this kid acted it from the moment he walked into the audition room. It was very innocent and I gave him that role because he played it the best. It wasn't until later that I realized after I gave him that part, had rehearsal and realized what happend and HOW it might look. You just gotta laugh it off and just go with it.

Actually, Loretta, Kepler, and I had to do that A LOT last week. We weren't able to put up the set until the day of the show because the theatre had a concert the night before. Also the stage was extremely small so we could only put up the side walls of our set and they just barely fit. There was a scorpion in the dressing room sink. Come show day, the cast wasn't very (how can I put it?) dedicated so NO ONE knew their lines. It's one thing when your stressed about forgetting just your line onstage or tripping infront of everyone but its an entirely different, overwhelming feeling when you know that the ones your onstage with don't know their lines. Needless to say a few lines where dropped during the performance which shaved off about 15 mins. Did I mention that the one sound cue in the show the sound guy missed and left the 4-6 year olds onstage BY THEMSELVES waiting for their dance music to start for 3, thats right 3, minutes of silence? Thankfully we had an amazing accompaniest who made something up on the spot and the kids just went with it! What was really cool about this theatre other than the fact that it looked like a castle, was through the magic of technology the parents of some of the kids who are in the army over seas got to watch their kids perform. Way cool! Like I said, it was a CRAZY week. After the show we met up with some fellow TADs who were only an hour away for a night out on the town. We all went downtown for dinner (courtesy of Missoula Children's Theatre) and walked along the strip, it was a lot of fun. :)

Now Loretta and I are in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where it is sunny...most of the time. Haha! When its not sunny we're under "weather advisories". You know the usual TORNADO WATCH. Remember we're in Oklahoma. Our first night here we stayed at the Motel 6 which wasn't very accommodating unless you were a colony of bugs. Thankfully our Presenter hooked us up with these awesome rooms at the Microtel which just so happens to be 4 minutes away from the theatre. This place is SO nice. Its clean, bugless, has an outdoor pool, good looking hotel lobby guys, AND Panera Bread is right across the street.

It's the little things.

We also have an amazing cast this week! Each kid is so well behaved and talented. I have to up my game. I'm the "professional" and I fear that their making me look bad. These kids are so great and I'm constantly laughing and enjoying performing with them. It's funny, I feel like each week I'm gonna see at least one of my friends traits in a kid. Last week there was a kid that looked and acted just like my friend Alan. It was uncanny! I wanted to just hug him/take a picture but neither of those are allowed for MCT actors. LAME! This week our Merlin reminds me of Tyler and our Ghost reminds me of my other friend David. So far I feel like my friends and I are STILL acting together which warms my heart and makes me feel at home in so many ways.

Today a girl in the show, who happens to have a speech impediment and is kind of a loner told Loretta that we were her favorite team and that already this week she's had more fun then in past camps.

This is what it's all about, making a difference. When Loretta told me that, it completely put things in perspective for me. Yes travelling for hours and hours is tiring. Yes bugs are gross. YES, I miss my family and friends. However, this is why I'm here and it humbles me everyday and yet fills my heart with so much joy. Just like this little girl, many other kids are going to get their moment in the spotlight and feel like what they have to say is important because it IS important.

I have the best job in the world.

:)

The End

-Jen

PS: I counted 13 words in this blog that are ALL CAPS.

Dear Diary...

Hi Friends!

I haven't been able to keep you all posted on what’s going on here because there has been a lack of internet. Worsties. However, now is not one of those moments so I just wanted to fill you in on what’s going on here in Montana. Loretta and I have been keeping lists of things we did each day and calling said lists our "Diaries" so I'm only going to fill you in on some key points that have happened this week. I apologize ahead of time because this may be a rather long post.

May 30, 2011- June 9, 2011

-Took 3 flights to get to Missoula Montana but I met some fellow TADs (Tour Actor Directors) while waiting for the plane(s). Let the bonding begin! Got here and while waiting at the baggage claim I quickly realized that my luggage was not there. Turns out someone else just so happened to have a red suitcase with elephants on it JUST. LIKE. MINE and stole it! Whatever happened to plain black bags?

-Got to dorm and had "girl time" with Loretta which consisted of Ordering Pizza, Foosball, BUNK BEDS, walking to the store, and picking lilacs for our room.

-Stepped in poo.

-The lady who “stole” my luggage got home and realized that it wasn’t hers so she brought it back to me at the dorm with everything in it; a definite miracle from the Lord.

-Orientation, Tour of Theatre, Built Set, all before lunch!         

- Noodle Express for lunch! I never had it before and it was delish. :)

-Blocked 1/2 of the show, tried on costumes, lines, signed my Contract....EEEEEEEE! This is legit.

-Made more friends at dinner.

-Walked in the rain THEN got our truck which we locked ourselves in (not really but REALLY).

-Had a truck meeting followed by an "Image meeting".

-Went to Wal-Mart for snacks and when we got back to our dorm at midnight the fire alarm went off. We all then had to wait outside in the cold while we watched 3 fire trucks and police show up. Loretta and I  were prepared though, we brought snacks! She brought her chips and salsa and I brought Teddy Grahams which I haven't had in YEARS. Wonderful. :)

-Music Lessons, Blocked the rest of the show and learned choreography, then went for a brisk run around the Montana University which was beautiful with all the mountains. The sun stays up way past 10pm which is a little weird but a good weird. :)

-Had an English Muffin with strawberry jelly for breakfast. It's the little things that count.

-Ran through the show with other King Arthur TADS and we played all the roles which was so fun!

-It's offish...I have a core group of TAD friends. :)

-Ran through the show twice with TADs.

-Talked to my Dad on the phone.

-Loretta sang "Good Morning" from Singing in the Rain at the crack of dawn.  Nice.

-Line checks. OMG!

-Inventory of costume pieces. Loretta and I have 315 costume pieces in our show.

-Pita Pit for lunch. Again another place I never ate before and it was so good. I kept getting the name wrong, Pita Palace, Pita Place, Pita Express, were just a few of the things I thought it was called.

-Small world: My friends, Morgan and Ross, and I were talking about theatre and they just so happen to mention that they did summer stock in West Virginia. I then quickly realized that they worked at the theatre in Beckley with some good college buds of mine (Andy, David, and Patrick) and that I saw their show. Seriously, everyone knows EVERYONE in this business, it’s SO weird. Needless to say we talked about how much we loved those guys and shared stories. :)

-Talked to my Grandma on the phone.

-Teaching meeting after dinner from 6:30 to 10:00 but Loretta and I rewarded ourselves with some McD's and a dance party in our dorm and in the dorm hall. :)

-Bagel and cream cheese for breakfast.

-Loretta and I realized that boys want to kiss Loretta for her personality and me for my lip-gloss. HA!

-Practiced teaching King Arthur TADs the show pretending they were kids but some stayed in the teacher mode.  Rude.

-Lunch: Tacos. >:( If you didn’t already know, I’m not a fan of Mexican food but I can muster it if I have to.

-More practice teaching TADs as kids but these weren't King Arthur ones so that helped and we got a lot of good feedback from Dylan the Tour Director so that was good. :)

-Dinner with group of friends and I had 2 cookies. I deserved them.

-Workshop on how to run an MCT auditions for the kids.

-I HATE WAKING UP EARLY!

-Financial meeting, teaching acting workshops with Don and Michelle. My friends and I have been playing a little game during these workshops/meetings because certain people have been asking the same questions or the answer to their questions has already been answered. Not really mature but it helps us stay awake in the early mornings. One day a girl asked 20 questions in the time span of 10 am-12pm. No. Lie.

-Meetings, Lunch, meetings, dinner, meeting followed by a Pep Talk from our Tour Director about how we really do make a difference in kids lives. Tears were shed.

-Meeting with Don and Michelle followed by makeup and acting workshops.

-Jimmie Johns for lunch. Seriously my world of lunches has expanded so much and I haven't even left Montana yet! No more Subway for this gill.

-Worked on lines, workshops, Theatre games to teach the kids, PAC workshops, another truck workshop, this last one had pictures!

-More rain.

-Workshops about the website, schedules, presenters, music lessons, presenter's info, script box, THEN a Harassment meeting so we’ll be prepared.

-There was blackberry cobbler for dessert at the University, not like Dad's. :(

-Talked to Dad on the phone again. :)

-Military Bases, Merchandise, T-shirts and Tech workshops all morning.

-Cookout which was brought inside because of the rain but it was still fun.

-Team building games and then Abuse Awareness workshops. Taught REAL kids that are locals here in town which was a great way to follow up the Abuse Awareness meeting. :(

-Dinner with friends and then we watched "The Little Red Truck" movie in the theatre and it was sooo fun! Loretta, Carrie, Casey and I went to a local ice-cream place called the "Big Dipper" and then met up with some friends since it was their last night before they left early in the morning. It was nice to hang out with people without the stress.

-On the way back to the school I got lost and made a U-turn and BEFORE I was completely turned around I realized whoops this is a one-way. At that EXACT moment a cop who was incognito pulled me over. THANKFULLY he understood that I was lost and surrounded by one-ways and construction, so he only gave me a "warning" THANK GOD!

-The last day of training was more relaxing for Loretta and I. We had done our teaching practice the day before so we only had to observe others and take notes. We spent the day mostly getting little but important things done like picking up cds and dvds, t-shirts, and working on lesson plans for the kids this coming week. Thats right, THIS COMING WEEK! Oh my stars so much to do! Meals were kind of sad because Loretta and I missed Casey and Carrie who left that morning but we got to talk to fellow TADs and get on the internet. Before we all leave the Theatre through us all an ice-cream party. It was so fun and nice to say "Goodbye" to everyone before we left. I also won a giftcard from Big Dipper! Don't know how that happend but I'm looking forward to some more Huckleberry ice-cream when I get back.

                                                     What a way to start off a roadtrip!

OK! You’re now all caught up! If you read all that I am impressed. You can tell I've been a bit busy so hopefully my next blog won't be this long and detailed. Thanks for reading and being a true friend. :)

-Jen