"We have the COOLEST jobs..."

Hi Friends!!!
I hope your all doing well, Loretta and I are having so much fun on the road but we def miss our friends and family BUT thats just how it goes. We'll be home soon enough before Fall Tour so that will def be nice. :)

Last week we were in Killeen, Texas at the Vive Les Arts Theatre and we both agreed that it was the best performance space we've had so far. We walked in on Sunday to meet our Contact and they were having auditions for Sound of Music which kinda made me miss auditioning but then I thought, "I got a job!" so that helped. haha! Anyways, Loretta and I both looked at each other after walking in the theatre Lobby, which was decked out with colors and fun chandeliers, and said "Is this a Professional Theatre Company???". It wasn't though, just an extremely nice Community Theatre. Not too shabby. :)

I could tell that this was going to be a really fun week when right as the kids were walking onstage for the auditions a little chubby girl with glasses said we couldn't start the audition because her mom hadn't brought her her "audition dress". I thought "Ohhh no! One of THOSE!" but thankfully I was wrong. Her audition dress was a shiny green Renaissance dress. HAHA! I LOVE IT! Later in the week, this kid gave Loretta and I each two of her Hello Kitty figurines. Big. Deal. The next day I noticed that no one was sitting with this same kid at lunch so I went and sat beside her. She noticed my Disney Princess Lunchox and she started talking to me about her favorite Princess-Rapunzel. Don't judge my lunchbox, its a great conversation starter with the kids esp the shy ones annnnnd I like it. She then said that she didn't like all the violence in Tangled (there is none haha!) but that her favorite play was Romeo and Juliet. ( HA! Def Violence in that!) I asked her why that was her favorite play and she said that she just liked the "kissing" part. My response: "Why's that Esther?". Esther: "Thats the most magical, important, special moment in stories! I'm a romantic and I can't wait until I have that moment in my life". SHE'S TEN and yet I thought, "Girl. I undastand." hahaha! I wonder what she thinks about Twilight? UGH! I should've asked! NOW I'LL NEVER KNOW!!!!

Esther was def one of the kids that made last week special. On the day of costumes one of the Knights came up to me and said someone was behind the set crying so I went to see who it was and it was Esther. I brought her out and started talking to her and come to find out she thought the Red Squire was making fun of her/talking bad about her in the dressing room. She said she felt like the cast didn't "love" her. I then stood up and got the entire cast's attention (even the Red Squire) and got them all to cheer for Esther and tell her how awesome she looked in her costume. They even applauded for her. The way her face lite up made my summer. Some days out on the road are rough but moments like that make everything worth it. She was soooo happy and I feel like that moment made her week with Missoula. : D Another fun thing about that week was they actually filmed the performance and they gave me a free DVD of it so now I can give it to my Dad and he can actually see my show. He hasn't been able to see it since we've been in Texas practically all summer and then in this upcoming Fall Tour I'll be in Washington and Idaho so at least he can see it on DVD. :)

Last week was also the most fun Loretta and I have had with the kids too. We're both finally at the place where we don't have to think about what we're doing and can just have fun at rehearsals and auditions. Great timing, right before the end of our summer tour. Well better late than never.  haha! We also got to meet up with Eli and Drew again, they're stalking us and they came over to our apt (Yep we had an apartment that week NOT a hotel or homestay which was awesome!) for laughs and making music videos. Loretta and I love doing that. Now Loretta and I are staying at a hotel on an Air Force Base. The MEN here are sooo nice. I wonder why? haha! I'll give you more det's in my next blog. The suspense is killing you I know. :)
-Jen

PS: Loretta and I did three workshops in Killeen and in the "Actor's Tools" workshop we actually begin by saying "We have the COOLEST jobs..." so that's where this blog title came from. Plus, its true.

Homestays

Hey Friends!

Ok so last week was an interesting and fun week. Loretta and I were in Coppell, Texas and we each had a homestay where we stayed in one of the cast members home for the week with their family. Overall I had a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, there were def some awkward moments with my family but I still had fun. The family I stayed with was all into the "organic" and protein types of food so that made meals interesting. They told me when I arrived that I could help myself to whatever was in the fridge or pantry and needless to say the only thing I recognized was a jar of peanut butter. I had breakfast with them just about every morning and I didn't realize that there were so many different ways to fix eggs. Now I know. :) One night I came home and the girls where having a slumber party so we all sat up and talked about 3 of my most favorite topics: Mermaids, Disney Princesses and BOYS! EEEEE!!!!!

I usually had dinner with the Olivas family (Loretta's homestay) and they were sooooo nice and friendly! They were so very welcoming to Loretta and I and always greeted us with warm smiles and hugs. We felt right at home. After the shows on Saturday, the Olivas family took Loretta and I out for dinner and frozen yogurt and then afterward we watched Toy Story 3 at their BEAUTIFUL home. I'd say an overall good day. :)

The kids for that week all did great and our Contact was EXTREMELY helpful to Loretta and I. She was a very nice lady. The kids had actually worked with Eli and Drew a week or two before we showed up so they were very familiar with how we ran rehearsals and the overall process so that was good. I felt bad for the girl playing Taliesin though. The day before the show she had to get braces and was having a hard time talking without mushing up the sounds of her words because her teeth hurt. Poor little Bear. :( But come show day she did a great job! Loretta and I also got a little card from our TAD BFF's: Cayce and Carrie. The card was so sweet and we spent the week working on a little somethin somethin for them. Pictures will come later once they get their package. I don't wanna spoil the surprise.

Loretta and I kind of layed low this past week because we had just had a week off and did all these fun and exciting things and this was really a week where we had to get our minds focused back on work. It wasn't too difficult, we like our jobs. What was exciting for me was I got a camera for my computer and now have a skype account so I can video chat or just chat with friends. It's SOOOOO cool!!!!! Not only do I get to talk to my friends but I actually get to see their faces!!!!! If you have a skype name message me and I'll add you!

Another cool thing about last week was one of my dearest and most sweetest gill's got ENGAGED! It was a process. Everyday Micah's beu would leave a special gift in her room (which we still can't figure out how he got into her apt in the first place) and they would gradually get more grand everyday. On Friday she came into her room and found a special note telling her to meet him where they had their first date, and the rest you can figure out. (SIGH) I wish I was there though to hug her and be excited with her but the summer tour will be over soon and I'll be home on the 25th. I'll hug her then! She asked me to be one of her bridesmaids and it just warmed my heart. She told me the other day that the date is set for May 19th and I really hope that my contract ends before then so I can participate in my Gill's most wonderful day. I'll def be praying for that. So until next time friends.....

-Jen

I'm a girl. I like to shop, tan, and dance.

Hey Friends!

So last week was sooo much fun! Loretta and I actually had an unbooked week which meant VACATION! We stayed in the North Richland Hills area because we got this awesome deal on our hotel. Like "we each got a $200 dollar discount" awesome deal. I love those kind of deals. We started the week off right by going to a local church and worshipping the Loyd (rem us Gills don't like to say our "R's"). It was def long overdue. However, it was one of those small churches where everyone knows everyone and the preacher knew Loretta and I where new so needless to say we later giggled about how he STARED us down during the invitation at the end. We thought, "Nope we're good. Got Jesus in my heart" and on my Neck-A-Lace..S S S" haha oh Ke$ha. We also ended that night right with a "Girls night" which included Dominos Pizza, fingernail polish, blogs, and ABC Family showing a Harry Potter movie.

The next day Loretta and I slept in which was so nice. I'm actually getting to the place where "sleeping in" is sleeping until 8am. I'm an adult. Oh well I guess I get more done and don't waste the day. Wait. My Grandma says that. UGH! I'm not just an adult I'm Old-Old. WORSTIES! Anyways Loretta and I spent the day shopping. We went to Walmart and bought goggles and pool floaties. Awesome decision. We also went to Platos closet and bought what we considered to be really trashy outfits for clubbin later that week. We also went to Panera Bread for lunch; Loretta loves Panera just as much as I do. Can I just say I LOVE my Tour Partner. After our afternoon outing we layed out by the pool and I got to use my new Dora the Explorer goggles. Now I can Explora with Dora. Hahaha! I'm so clever. I also talked with two of my Gills: Micah and Allison on the phone. I just love them. :)

Wednesday, Loretta and I went to a bunch of thrift stores (I love that kind of stuff) looking for some cowgirl boots for Loretta. Unsucessful. However, that night I had a date. I haven't seen my wonderful friend Kayla in soooo long! She and I both did theatre together in college but our senior year she took off and married the love of her life and finished up with the Distance Learning Program. All she had left was an english class or two. Anyways, I met up with her and her husband Jordan in Polin, Texas for Mexican food and "Yogurtville" which is basically a "Sweet Frog" fellow Lynchburgians. They were so sweet and paid for my meals and were like "GILL! Your family!". (Sigh)  That was a very nice gesture. We also hung out a little bit at their apt discussing theatre, life, and basically just catching up. Kayla and I both love the show "Wicked" and needless to say I belted the soundtrack the whole way home just for Kay. Best date EVER! Spending time with Kayla was LONG overdue. She is a delightful breath of fresh air.

Thursday was another fun day. Loretta and I went to the local mall which was HUGE looking for cowgirl boots. Success. The reason we were looking for them so bad was because One: We're in Texas, it's the culture. Two: We were going Line Dancing that night!!!!!! We went to The World's Largest Honky Tonk which also held The World's Largest Belt Buckle. My wonderful friend Ray, whom I also did theatre with in college, joined us! Ray is the most friendliest person ever! His laughter is so contagious! He is also a wonderful dancer so this seemed PERFECT! We all learned a line dance or two and then we really let loose. Ray and I may have tap danced, tangoed, waltzed and generally goofed around all over the floor. I got a video but Loretta took more. As soon as we can figure out how to get those on my computer, facebook videos WILL, I reapeat, WILL be posted for your entertainment. That night was so much fun, I just LOVE dancing! So thats two checks on my list for seeing two of  "The World's Largest ____" and a check for Line Dancing.

Friday night was the big night of the week. Loretta and I just relaxed all day swam in the pool and tanned our little pale bodies. That night though we dressed up in our Platos closet, sequins dresses and went to downtown Dallas for some clubbin. I thought I dressed up really aweful, 80's even but then I realized that that style is coming back and I actually looked pretty. It's my cross to bear I guess. HA! Kidding! We went to this club called Plush and it was sooooo cool! It had two levels, Gogo dancers, Poles for pole dancing, and fun music. What-what! Loretta and I have never been so complimented on our outfits before! Literally we walked in the door and people would stop us and tell us how much they loved our outfit/style. Needless to say Loretta and I made a lot of friends that night. I met this guy named Xavier! WHAT?!?! The only Xavier I know of is an X-men. THIS Xavier was an X-men fraud. Loretta and I had so much fun that night and I think it is safe to say that it goes down in my book for one of the most fun nights while on the road.

We've kind of been thinking that we will never see these people again and it WILL make an interesting story in the morning. So far we haven't regretted this. So Sat I REALLY slept in, we didn't get back until around 6am, you know with all that dancing and a late or shall I say earlier McDonald's run, so I don't feel bad. I watched Clash of the Titans on HBO. Ehhh, now I know. Our friends Eli and Drew were coming back through our area so we met up with them for a late dinner at Dennys where we laughed at each other and shared stories about each of our weeks. It was so nice just to take a week to relax. I think it was really good for Loretta and I, we had a lot of partner bonding while shopping during the days and dancing away the nights. :)
-Jen

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