Awe-Inspiring

A couple of days ago, my friend did an amazing thing. I mean, it wasn't a one day thing. It took months of work, patience, baked goods and skill to pull off something like this.

Jason completed his first of two conducting recitals for his graduate degree. He got musicians together, rehearsed them, his wife Melissa baked them treats for their time. I sat in awe as these musicians rocked out. They played Hindemith for crying out loud.

And at the front of the room was Jason. Jason, who didn't even look like he was breaking a sweat (and it was really hot in there). Congratulations Jason. You have a well-deserved break coming your way. You could tell the musicians really respected you and your work.

Honestly Sincere

A long time ago, in the Summer of 1999, something magical happened.

Up until that point I had been performing in musicals through my grade school and high school. I was surrounded by people that I saw every day in school. My directors were also my teachers. We had no choreographers, no real costumers, just our teachers and some parents volunteers.

I got involved in musical theater in 5th grade. That musical is a story unto itself. Before then, I have never been involved with any choirs or anything. I had piano lessons since I was 8. The shows were ambitious for my small private school (Fiddler on the Roof, Sound of Music, Oliver!)

High school, even more so. The Secret Garden, Children of Eden, Cinderella, The King and I. But it still felt like something was missing.

Until I auditioned for Summer Youth Theater. I had wanted to audition for Joseph the year before but for some reason didn’t. Maybe it’s because I wouldn’t have had a solid ride from my parents. I can’t even remember if I was driving. Oh wait, I was driving but I had a job. Whatever. I didn’t get to audition when I wanted.
In 1999, the show was Bye Bye Birdie. I had never met the director before, I had never even seen my fellow cast mates before. I vaguely knew one from church. I ended up getting the part of Kim McAfee when I didn’t even think I was going to make the show. I knew no one, I had no training, no experience working with a choreographer (although I did take dance lessons for a few years).

What followed was one of the most magical summers of my life. I’ve only had one show experience like that since (Beauty and the Beast 2006!) but it was truly amazing. I seem to have good luck when I audition for a show where I know no one.
I danced harder than I ever danced before. I would get to rehearsal early and wish it would run later. The costumes were adorable. The cast mates were like family by the end. My parents came to see it and couldn’t believe I was in such a professional looking show. (compared to the other shows I had done) After months of rehearsal, I hadn’t let on that this theater was several steps above the last places where I did shows.

I made friends that I’m still in close contact with today. I showed my parents that this was something I was willing to work hard for. It was a show that just had "it" from the very beginning.

But those kinds of experiences stick with you. I will forever be chasing after shows like that, that push you and make you work hard. Where you welcome that kind of work and appreciate the long hours, bruises, soreness and lost voices. The camaraderie backstage, the reactions from the audience. It’s all worth it and is not often repeated.

Oh right, you probably want to see pictures, huh?

My mom not understanding the magic that is Conrad Birdie (and my brown hair)


Telephone Hour (I spy Puddin' Head Eric!)


Conrad on his bike


Dancing at the Icehouse (I see Dori and Marissa!)


Jailbait Kiss


What is that "thing" in your life? What is it that makes you want to show up early, stay late and just keep practicing until you nail it?

Oh Where Oh Where?

I haven't seen my husband in about two weeks. We live in the same house, mind you, and he's not traveling and neither am I. We've both been so busy, we're just ships passing in the night.

I see him in the morning, where I jump into the shower first since he is a 20-minute-long-showerer. Yikes. I can't even be in a shower for more than 5 minutes. I'm always thinking of what else I need to be doing.

As I'm drying my hair, he is downstairs making his lunch and while I'm putting on my make up, he's brushing his teeth. A quick kiss and he's gone.

Off to work I go from 9-6pm where at that point I rush straight to rehearsal, running across the street from the theater to the Baker's. Baker's made bank off of all of us this week, btw. Man, I love those fries.

Rehearsal/show... show nights are great because we're out of there by 9:30pm. Rehearsals were more like 10:30. Run home, shower, say a few words then hop into bed and rest up for the next day.

Lather, rinse, repeat for 14 days. Tonight is no exception. I'm off to a cast party straight after work. He's got stuff tomorrow evening, I've got a salad to make.

We're a little like that this weekend too. He has a gig, I have church stuff and bridesmaid responsibilities.

But we're ok. We're both doing things we love (I think me more so in this case, as I'm performing and he's just rehearsing). But it makes me think how lucky that we "get" what each other does. He doesn't get annoyed that he hasn't seen me in two weeks, that our kitchen is bare because we don't have time to shop, that the house looks like we just let twenty 4-year-olds loose in it.

We're both musicians and we appreciate it when the other one understands our "thing". My "thing" is musicals, his "thing" is horn gigs. Or Civil War bands, or whatever floats our boat. I come home happier than anything else when I've been to a good rehearsal.

How lucky am I that he says "go on, have fun!" when I'm off to rehearsal right after work? That he comes to my shows and tells me (honestly) how he liked it. If he wanted me to come to one of his concerts, I would. We get that this is us, this is what we love to do and we support each other in our extracurricular activities.

What could be better than that?

Deep Breath

I am so so sorry everyone! It seems like I have had barely any time to breath, much less blog!


To catch up, I have been in rehearsals every night for "Scrooge" and last week I came down with something awful. It was all in my throat and nose but man was it obnoxious. After rehearsing the show for 6 weeks, I couldn't even sing! I just had to make due with mouthing the words and killing it on choreography.


Last night was the last show which was bittersweet. I will love getting my nights back but I will miss being on stage and miss the cast. We've had a great time and I wouldn't have minded if this was a longer run. But there will be other shows in the future and I love this theater company. Plus, we just found out that this company will be doing the show at the Bowl next year... so there's that to look forward to (if I do it. Which I'm still on the fence about.).

Here's a fun picture from the show. I'm second from the left. (Thanks Judi for the great picture!)



I can't believe Christmas is in a week and a half. I'm ready but not. I'm excited to spend time with family but if I'm really honest I just want to spend my days off curled up in my bed, watching trashy shows. Maybe it's because my weekends have been insane lately and I haven't really gotten a break.

But I can't complain about being busy because it's all doing something I love. The children's pageant came off great this last weekend, for which we're so grateful. It was fun to watch the kids' faces when they would get reactions from the audience. I loved that the first question out of the kids' mouths was "What's the spring pageant going to be?" LOVE it!

But for now, I'm getting ready for the holiday break, finishing up work, cast party tonight, friend party tomorrow night, another party Saturday night and choir singing twice in church on Sunday. THEN I'll be able to stop and chill.

Sneak Peek

Our kids after Andre Rieu... it was such an amazing experience and I can't wait to write about it!

My Husband, the Drama King

The church where we direct the children's choir has been very welcoming. We're constantly being invited to events, encouraged to participate in church activities, etc.

This past Sunday, the bell choir put on a performance during church and there was a familiar face who was invited to perform with them.


Can you see him? MAGIC ENHANCE!


Ta-daaaaa! The Hubs was invited to be the narrator for the bell choir's performance. It was all about Moses and the Ten Commandments. It was all very cute and the Hubs had great comedic timing. It's true! A kid in the choir (all of 6 years old) came up to him, stuck his finger in his chest and said, "YOU are FUNNY".

I totally agree.

Ear Worm

I have had this beautiful song on repeat for the last 3 days. I rediscovered my box set of Sufjan Steven's Christmas album and have been enjoying it ever since. If you haven't heard this, here's your treat for today!