A Peppermint Mocha Flavored Update

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Walnut Street Theatre Mezzanine Lobby during the Opening Day A Christmas Carol Cast Party

Licking stamps in between sips of warm peppermint goodness, I have been finding myself making up any excuse to kick back during my spare time in a snuggly coffee shop this holiday season, eager as ever to write to my family and friends about my life at the Walnut St. Theatre and send my best wishes to the new year ahead. I have some exciting news that is already making 2011 look pretty darn good and feel blessed to be leaving 2010 behind with one of my favorite Decembers yet!

THE UPCOMING NEWS:

I have been cast in the Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio Production/National Tour of The Glass Menagerie as the LAURA understudy! I remember studying the Tennessee William's classic in an English Lit class in high school, voicing Laura out loud in the classroom group readings and instantly entranced by her sweet fragility. I had no trouble imagining this woman off the page; I remember just understanding her and feeling for her so deeply. I haven't reread the play since nor have seen it live, but it had such a lasting impression on me that I am ecstatic to be involved with this professional production! The show will begin a short run on the 3rd Floor of the Walnut in mid-January and then will hit the road and travel through March as the Walnut's 1st National Tour. CLICK ME FOR MORE INFORMATION.

*I was doing some online research of The Glass Menagerie and could not get over how stunning the original Laura, actress Julie Hayden, indeed was. Va Va Voom!*

A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND WHITE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY COMBO

Leslie Nevon Holden and I backstage for A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol had a fantastic run, playing to mostly sold out audiences and adding performances to suit even more bus loads of children and families. Performance wise, it was like running a mini-marathon of Christmas cheer, engaging the entire ensemble on stage for its' one hour time, only scurrying off stage for quick changes as we bounced from past to present to future. I was very proud of what our creative team and cast accomplished, feeling like a Hallmark Season's Greeting card come to life. I also just loved twirling in my hoop skirt, hearing the little kids lose it over Marley's ghost (you'd think we were in a haunted mansion haha!), feeling like a Jane Austen romance, and full belting "GOD BLESS US EVERYONE" in unison for the final moment. I looked forward to my favorite dance and scene as Belle with Young Scrooge every show as well as the the little squeals of delight bursting out of the audience during the final song when it snowed right above them. It was a magical experience for both the audience and us.

Speaking of snow, I had a u/s run of White Christmas, in love with the coy and controlled 1940s style choreography, feeling like an old movie musical chorus girl. It has been an amazing test for my feet and my brain learning dance numbers so quickly and the whole process has felt like a privileged master class. White Christmas plays until January 9th and is just a treat. CLICK ME FOR MORE INFO.

OTHER NEWS:

*My WST School Advanced Musical Theatre Class presented our Fall Showcase on November 30th, in which I sang "A Little Bit in Love" from Wonderful Town and "Sing Happy" from Flora, The Red Menace. Both pieces were two songs I may never have sang without our instructor Heidi Hayes' push to challenge ourselves with material out of our comfort zone. I was so glad that my parents and a handful friends got to come see me do non-traditional Tara numbers and thanks this class for making my fall Tuesday nights a paradise and for all the ounces of support and encouragement. In the new year, I will be taking two classes, Audition Technique and Advanced Acting, plus a specialized musical theatre audition intensive a few Saturdays in January. Heidi's class inspired me to load my plate full, always fueled by the possibility of growing and unlocking new doors inside! I also will keep up with my weekly Ballet Tone, Zumba, and newly added Yoga classes at the gym and will also be trying to get into the city some days off to visit Broadway Dance Center or take some possible master classes.

*The Touring Outreach Company has been on our condensed holiday leg of our touring schedule, going out on the road alongside our A Christmas Carol schedule and now right before schools go on break. Its so nice when faculty and the kids themselves come up to us after shows or in between sets to let us know how much our show means to them. We have been feeling the love especially this week in the Vineland, NJ middle schools, having amazing talk backs after Mean Girlz R Bullies 2 and feeling very welcomed by the guidance counselors. Leslie and I have also begun this new lunch break program in which I teach her tap in exchange for Shakespeare monologue coaching on tour, prepping us for spring auditions and keeping us in shape. Today it was hilarious flap ball changing in our character taps through the cafeteria lunch line to the teacher's lounge- haha! It really gives us something to look forward to and keep us active on our days with long breaks!

*I got so extremely close with my cast of A Christmas Carol-baking and decorating my first ever sugar cookies for them (they must have been special people if I ventured into the kitchen)- and fall into even more laughing attacks with my fellow acting apprentices everyday on our adventures. I just love when I'm in good company and that I am. I had a bunch of friends also come out to see A Christmas Carol, which meant the world, also proud to be giving them a live tour of my new Philadelphia life. My boyfriend, who lives in Astoria and will be going on tour come January, got to spend a week in Philly and it was the delicious icing on a perfectly frosted cake of a December. One of our high lights of his trip was walking through Dickens Village at the Macy's on Chestnut because I literally turned four years old.

So many friends and family members to love this holiday season makes me feel like

one happy WALNUT roasting on an open fire.

Wow its late.

I shall leave you with a beautiful montage the yet again amazing Jesse Havea put together from my summer production of HAIR in New Hampshire and also the debut of my long overdue acting reel.

All is calm. All is bright.

Here's to the Happiest of New Years! Love, Tara Tag

"HAIR Montage" and "My College Acting Reel"

Please Watch and Enjoy!

.

I Am All Around Thankful!

NEWS UPDATE:

I have been cast as an Ensemble Understudy for White Christmas on the Walnut Street Theatre Main Stage and begin rehearsals this week! I'm whipping out my tap shoes and am oober excited to be covering a dancing track in a show set around a favorite holiday in a favorite era with it also being a favorite iconic film! I'm so grateful for this opportunity and also to be starting my membership points with Actor's Equity! The show goes into previews November 9th and runs into next year, closing on January 9th 2011. CLICK ME FOR INFORMATION.

My interview alongside fellow acting apprentice Leslie Nevon Holden with public relations gem Jen Burrini has been published in two parts on The Walnut Street Theatre Facebook Page! Please click and check out the following links:

Behind the Curtain Q&A with WST Acting Apprentices

A Glimpse at WST Touring Outreach

A Christmas Carol is coming around the bend soon too and opens December 4th. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I am playing Belle/Fred's Wife/Others on the glorious Main Stage apart of the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Series. CLICK ME FOR INFORMATION.

THE OUTREACH TOUR HITS THE ROAD

Touring for almost a month now, the shows are on board the "second nature" boat now, living in my bones, and are a blast for me to perform. Its also exciting because each morning I wake up knowing I have an adventure at hand- never really knowing where we are going, excited for the little treasures that will pop up and surprise us in our travels, and what kind of energy the kids will serve us with. We never know what kind of reactions we will get- some schools' audiences act like they are in the scenes with us shouting out audible comments and in others, all you can hear are the creaks of the old auditorium chairs filled with quieter little ones. It keeps us fresh and on our toes and makes each show a unique experience. Leslie and I have also been extending our knowledge on the new anti-bullying methods making its way into school curriculum, keeping up to date with current bullying in the media to draw to the kids' attention as well as reading books on this growing issue. I have filled my personal journals with many different wordings of advice to offer these kids in our talk backs, which are usually over flooded with questions on our bully themed shows. Leslie and I have adapted the mantra to tell kids that a bully is a human just like you; do not give them superpowers- encouraging the kids to overcome their fears and to always be honest in who they are. The four of us also all share our own personal experiences growing up as well as our passion for why we do and love theatre. I feel like I can write a book so far with all the questions we have addressed and how good it feels to be helping these kids. It is also so inspiring as a 23 year old to read the big print signs all about the school hallways screaming to "dream big" and "be yourself", applying it now probably more so than when I was the one wearing the backpack.

You may be wondering where do I sit on that van? My little section, which we call the the candy kitchen because I've stuffed my storage area with Dots, Mike 'n Ikes, Good and Plenty, Candy Corn, and the occasional cookies that I gladly share for sugar kicks, is right behind the driver's seat (a thank you to Evan for taking the wheel every morning). We switch between the Broadway station on XM (Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone are the a.m. favorites) and Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo usually in the earlier hours with afternoon rides usually busting out the Top 40's station. We roll along in and out of Philly, going across the bridge to Jersey (where I have been welcomed with cheers by the kids showing my home state pride) and into the picturesque Pennsylvania countryside at the mercy of Carlos's GPS (and google maps during the occasional recalculations ;-) ). I laugh so much inside that van!

It has indeed been interesting adjusting to such an early morning schedule, leaving my flat sometimes in the dark and reaching for coffee cups at the Wawa with what looks like the cast of SCRUBS, but really staff at Jefferson Hospital on shift breaks. They sometimes seem to be the only people awake with me, BUT getting to see that sun come up has indeed given me many a sky to be thankful for!

On our breaks in between shows and/or travels, I've done a list of amazing and random things including wandering the campus of UPENN feeling oh so smart, raiding a general store that sold milk in glass bottles, watching a movie with my outreach family in our super equipped van, seeing a shark in a crazy underwater pet store, buying a football which has become the 5th member of our company and a treat for all the open fields we seem to come across, enjoying my first Chic-Fil-A experience while overlooking the water slides of a favorite childhood hot spot Sesame Place (best home videos from there), and most recently sipped with a smile a pumpkin milkshake amongst old Coca Cola pin up girl posters in a retro diner. The biggest upset for me on the tour is that we are not really allowed to wear jewelry, which breaks my heart just a tad, and are in black all the time. Hahaha- oh well- It just forces me to make choices on the weekend with what to wear!

LIFE OFF THE ROAD

October just flew right on by, but I've welcomed in November wholeheartedly and am bundling up more and more. I've been rereading a lot of books from my childhood, feeling the kid in me come out more and more, currently on Anne of Green Gables, who is still my all time favorite heroine. I've also been browsing fashion blogs online fulfilling my vintage cravings, reading magazines from The Rolling Stone to Vogue and my favorite NYLON, and jiving with new music on my IPOD. Everyone get this month's issue of NYLON and let your mind buckle up and drive on a day dream road trip to each American city (sad Philly didn't make their list, but oh well) they feature in their America issue. I have a new love for Portland, Oregon and want to go! Also some artists that have been favored these days on my ipod include Esperanza Spalding ("Apple Blossom" is my number one most overplayed song I can't seem to get enough of), Zoe Boekbinder, Angus and Julia Stone, Blind Pilot, Laura Marling, Elizabeth and the Catapult, the Secret Sisters, Oh Land, and Hank and Cupcakes, who I actually saw perform live on South Street. I love starting my day with any of these guys and their now familiar voices.

When the Phillies lost, even I was a tad bummed because I could feel the pulse of this city weaken a bit. I think everyone sporting the red and white were royally pissed that the post-game celebrating and cheering up and down Broad Street had come to screeching halt right before it was about to get wild. My Phillies knee socks were indeed a hit as part of my Philadelphia tribute of a Halloween costume, decking out in a hodge-podge of Philly sports apparel, buttons honoring my new home and neighborhood that made me look like a TGIF waitress, a cheese steak contest winner t-shirt, and to complete it all, liberty bell earrings.

What Else I've Been Up To...

*WST School- I am having a ball being an assistant teacher to two acting classes, working on presenting an acted out version of Dr.Seuss's The Sneetches in one and scenes from the adorable musical Honk! in the other. I look forward to each Saturday morning to see what these kids pull out from under their sleeves. I also am enjoying my musical theatre class with Heidi Hayes offered to us in our scholarship with the adult advanced division. I look forward to each Tuesday evening too! Its nice to have this as an outlet to try new stuff, break down some barriers, and learn from other actors.

*The Seagull at Montclair State University, visiting many beautiful friends from my graduating class and seeing a stellar production of a Chekhov favorite. I invested myself fully into this show and went on an emotional ride. Thank you again to the beautiful Julie Lawrence for always staging incredible productions! It was also so nice to be back at Montclair seeing people who mean the world to me.

*I have decided to sponsor a little girl through Save The Children in Latin America, something I always wanted to do, and have also become a one time member or the ACLU, proud to be supporting two beautifully different, but equally important causes.

*Apprentice Potluck Hosted at my Brownstone with stage management and production apprentice roommates Bekah Wachenfeld and Kimberly Lewis- I created a pumpkin platter with everything from the classic pumpkin pie to pumpkin whoopee pies! Fall heaven.

*Winter Wonderland 11th Annual Silent and Live Auction at the Walnut Street Theatre on October 29th- I really enjoyed mingling with the well dressed subscribers, board, and Walnut staff with tray in hand, becoming known as "crab cake girl" and enjoying enticing people with my favorite hors d'oeuvre- "caramelized figs drizzled in balsamic vinaigrette with goat cheese on a cracker." Did your stomach just grumble?

*Evenings enjoyed at the Wilma Theatre and Arden Theatre Company seeing their current shows. I want to buy and read Ghostwriter by Michael Hollinger again and again.

*Voice Coaching and Lessons with Jennie Eisenhower and Mike Borton- keeping the voice in shape- as well as maintaining weekly classes at Koresh Dance School and the 12th Street Gym for the bod ;-)

I have been keeping in touch with friends and family as best as possible, even pulling out the pen and forcing my mind to slow down with hand written letters. There is something about getting mail and ripping open an envelope that for me is just more special than an email-though thank god for gmail and facebook (the fb friendship pages are the new addiction). I also love how much character the stationary design can show as well as all the cross-outs and room allowed to doodle. Many of my actor friends are out there doing amazing things and it thrills me hearing about their experiences and where theatre is taking them.

Congratulations to my dear friends who are currently performing this fall who include:

*Kellyn Uhl at the Goodspeed Opera House doing How to Succeed...

*Nadia Vynnytsky on the Legally Blonde National Tour

*Emily Afton on the Hair National Tour

*Katerina Papacostas at the North Shore Music Theatre doing A Chorus Line

*Rachel Camp at the People's Light and Theatre Company in The 3 Musketeers (The Later Years): A Musical Panto

*Two MSU Graduates Ashley Tobias and Aaron Catano on the Virtually Me! A Cyber Musical Tour

*Ashley Picciallo at The Armory Theatre doing It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Lastly, I am just thankful to have so much to want to share and write about. My life has been crazy busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am thankful to be in a field where I never stop learning and am inspired to care about bigger things in the world. I am thankful for the new relationship I am in and very happy about, my beyond brilliant family, my beyond brilliant friends, and for the uninhibited imaginations and curiosities of children that send my mind dancing off the page. I am also thankful for being at the Walnut and in Philadelphia right now, meeting more brilliant people, and am HUGELY thankful for those 3 beauties I share a van with every morning: Evan Faram, Leslie Nevon Holden, and Carlos Aviles.

I'll officially end this blog with some hilarious pictures taken on the road by John Rose, the friendly media technician who worked our mics in the Pennsbury School District, of Mean Girlz...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Mean Girls R Bullies 2- CLICK TO MAKE LARGER

Autumn in Philadelphia at America's Oldest Theatre

The 2010-2011 Professional Acting Apprentices (Me, Carlos Aviles Ruiz, Evan Faram, and Leslie Nevon Holden at Invited Preview of No Easy...)

The other day in rehearsal, as I was playing with slide whistles, kazoos, an xylophone, and other kiddie musical props at my place in the wacky instrument pit of Emperor's New Clothes rehearsal, it totally donned on me that it is fall outside and for the first time since pre-K, I am not in school. Last year, I completely fell in love with learning and breaking down walls in the classroom setting that I couldn't imagine life any other way, especially away from Montclair. But here I am, standing on my own two feet in the city of Philadelphia, and falling in love with my acting apprenticeship at the Walnut St. Theatre!!

What I've been up to at the Walnut...

It feels almost impossible to condense the past month's happenings into a nutshell since it has been a whirlwind of events and hard work, but I will gosh darn try! My time with the three other acting apprentices has been spent:

The Ladies of the Touring Outreach Company (Me and Leslie Nevon Holden)

*Staging our four outreach tours in 5 day rehearsal processes for each over the past month

Our 2010-2011 Season includes Emperor's New Clothes, Mean Girlz R Bullies 2: The Musical (I'm obsessed with this title being text message friendly and also the fact that its a musical), The Boy Who Cried Bully, and No Easy Road to Freedom- SEE "ON REHEARSALS" FOR MORE ABOUT THE TOURS

*Learning the ropes of this battleship of regional theatres that is the Walnut through meetings with our home base in the Education Program office and amazing seminars with all the different department/program directors

I can get lost wandering the Walnut and diving into all its historical pictures of past performances and old show posters displayed on the walls from the lobby to the offices. There is one of Audrey Hepburn performing on the Walnut stage that always makes me smile and strut with a little more oomph when I pass it ;-)

*Assistant Teaching at the Walnut Theatre School Two Acting Classes for Kids

I am already having a ball with the kids and we've just begun! I feel like a kid again myself and love playing the theatre games with them and hearing them bust out in laughter. I was told on the first day by kids in my second class that I look exactly like Dory in Finding Nemo and totally took it as a compliment. Kids rock.

On Rehearsals...

My main job as an acting apprentice is making up the Touring Outreach Company with my fellow three acting apprentices that goes to schools all over the PA, NJ, and DE area. We are just now on the final stretch of rehearsals, performing our preview of the last staged show Emperor's New Clothes this Tuesday at a Philadelphia school, with previews of Mean Girlz... and The Boy Who... already performed with warm welcome for kids at the current Walnut Adopt-a-School in Philly. We officially kick off the tour on October 7th, performing through May up to three possible shows a day, traveling in a van packed tight of all our costumes, sets, and props. We are our own stage managers on the road and are also in charge in hosting talkbacks with the kids after every show and may also conduct possible acting workshops within their classrooms under another program called Team Walnut that compliments the tour shows.

Mean Girlz Rehearsal- Morgan (Me) and the New Girl Ellen (Leslie Nevon Holden)

With all this said, this has been one heck of a month, learning four shows in less than a week's time each with all the lesson plans and technicalities of the tour to boot. There were times where I thought my brain would explode due to all the lines and information being piled in! I play over 10 characters amongst the four shows and have been working hard on developing each of them. My mind and focus feel like they've been through actor bootcamp, getting the workout of their life as they jump from show to show, as well as my confidence in making big choices and trusting myself. Working with four different directors this month has also been extremely challenging and rewarding- all of them pushing me in different ways and having me define my characters further.

I must say, I do have the most fun with Mean Girlz... playing Morgan, the queen bee of Nicodemus Middle School, in jeggings and a blonde wig, as well as voicing and manipulating her posse of puppets, Mary-Kate and Ashley. It is so Mean Girls Regina-George inspired and I have to say it- so fetch. I have a scene with myself between Morgan, Mary-Kate, and Ashley that sometimes I feel crazy in, essentially talking to myself, but I do enjoy hopping from voice to voice with sass!

Ashley, Morgan, and Mary Kate are so FI-ERCE at Nic Mid.

I am really enjoying getting to know my fellow acting apprentices as we develop relationships on stage and off as well as the rest of the professional apprentices at the Walnut serving the different departments. I really respect my fellow actors, each of them with their own amazing backgrounds of how they fell into theatre, and feel inspired by them and excited to spend the year in their company. I also really love how passionate and artistically accomplished the directors of the different departments are at the Walnut, lighting up when they share their stories with us in our seminars. It totally gets my motor running and reminds me of the power behind hard work. I am beyond grateful to be working at such a tremendous theatre that really cares about the development of young professionals and producing theatre that serves a large community. The Walnut has the largest amount of subscribers out of any regional theatre in the whole world, so what I am learning from this place and how it operates is an education in itself.

I also am completely inspired by the children I am beginning to meet on the tour and in my classes. It's pretty funny to be back walking the tiny hallways of schools decorated in adorable art projects and whimsical murals, hearing bells go off (we have already been involved in a fire drill), and hearing the kids' audible reactions as we perform (we already had a kid run on stage to dance with us!). I don't think one show will ever be like another! Also remembering my own childhood and how magical theatre alway seemed to me, I love knowing that I can spark something inside these kids that may make them want to perform someday. This feeling makes every show important to me as well as knowing how important the messages of our shows are, especially the ones dealing with the seriousness of bullying, which a lot of kids are facing today. I can't wait to share on-the-road tales and look forward to beginning the tour this week! For more information on Touring Outreach, click away right here!

What I've Been Up to in Philly...

*Exploring my darling neighborhood from hipster and artsy South Street to the mouthwatering smells of deliciousness that wrap around the Italian Market- Its dangerous for a girl who loves anything vintage and used as well as pizza and gelato like me!

*First Friday in Olde City- I got to visit art galleries for free!

*Curtains at the Walnut Opening Night and After Party

*Pig Iron Theatre Company's Cankerblossom in the Philly Fringe Festival- It was one of the wackiest, yet enjoyable pieces of theatre I have ever seen and I really respect the seemingly limitless aspirations of this theatre company

*Philadelphia's Magical Gardens- I felt like I fell down the well to Wonderland. This gem is literally a minute from my apartment!

*Theatre Horizon's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee featuring my fellow MSU MT graduate Rachel Camp and my hilarious Mean Girlz... director Jennie Eisenhower- This show is just a treat and I sobbed during the "I Love You Song" due to those two wonderful stars of ladies.

*Classes at the 12th St. Gym (Free Membership with my Walnut contract :-) ) and Koresh Dance School- I am now obsessed with Zumba.

Coming Soon...

I will be playing Belle/Fred's Wife/Others on the mainstage in the Walnut Street Theatre for Kids musical production of A Christmas Carol! Click this link for more information and contact me if you are interested in attending- I can get you a half-price ticket!

*Auditions for Understudy Opportunities for the Mainstage/Independence Studio Productions- Very excited!

*Jennifer Burrini,the WST Public Relations Apprentice, interviewed Leslie Nevon and I for the popular Walnut Street Theatre Facebook Page on our backgrounds and more detail to our specific apprenticeship. There are interviews already posted with the education and casting/literary apprentices to check out and ours will be coming soon! I will post the link as soon as its available and had a great time chatting with Jenn and Les!

_____________________________________________

WOW! So I just blogged my face off, but hope everyone is having a wonderful fall with the weather FINALLY changing over and scarves and mittens coming out of hiding! I have been eating/drinking anything made of pumpkin and encourage you all to do the same.

CHEERS!

Bayonet Electricity!

A little more footage from this summer's production of HAIR because I just love it so much and can't let go of the hippie inside. I'm the girl in the rainbow knit sweater and jean shorts (as shown directly up top and below) and the third zombie on death row to sing in "3-5-0-0." That "Let the Sunshine In" was closing night for the show and the entire season, resulting in a bucket of tears. I miss this tribe. Please enjoy!



"Three-Five-Zero-Zero" (CLICK ME)

"Let the Sunshine In" Backstage View (DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ME TOO!)

COMING SOON: Life in Philadelphia at the Walnut Street Theatre

The Walnut Street Theatre Circa 1938

Bye-Sees Summer

My Summer in New Hampshire Captured on Video:

Check out this behind-the-scenes picture/video montage made by the amazing acting company member Jesse Havea that documents the first two shows of the Mt. Washington Valley Theatre Company and all its shenanigans:

MWV Theatre Company 2010

Peace Out New England- you were way too good to me

(The Girls Dressing Room during HAIR.)

IN OTHER NEWS-

I have just settled into my beautiful new apartment in my first ever city to call home- PHILADELPHIA! Check back soon for the scoop on my acting apprenticeship with the Walnut Street Theatre and my Philly adventures. I have already downed my first cheesesteak. YESSS.

<3

Gliddy Gloop Gloopy...

"If I hold back, I'm no good. I'm no good. I'd rather be good sometimes, than holding back all the time." Janis Joplin

Hello everyone!!!!

So much has happened since I last blogged- the biggest news being I turned 23! I had a wonderful birthday welcomed in by Cathedral Ledge at midnight, this glorious rocky overlook of the Conway village and our company's favorite spot to gaze at the stars, a energy boosting HAIR stumble thru, Dairy Queen fast food (I somehow always end up in a Dairy Queen on my birthday-totally by choice- entering a heavenly coma with a Blizzard), a fabulous performance of The Full Monty in the evening, and was ended by a mini post show celebration at my favorite bar and restaurant the Moat with cast and crew! I could not imagine turning 23 any other way, especially without this amazing group of people I have been blessed with filling my summer days.

Backtracking...

Leaving the glitz and glamour of Hollywoodland with the closing of Singin' in the Rain was really tough- I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to Lina Lamont. Even though I ran an Act 1 marathon backstage hopping from one quick change to the next with my amazing dressing team, I had an absolute ball on stage bringing to life one of my favorite characters from my childhood. And I must say, I think blondes do have more fun :-)

The Girls Dressing Room

The Full Monty was another wonderful experience, getting the opportunity to work with director Richard Sabellico, lovingly nicknamed Uncle Dickie by tech, who provided me with a lot of insight on acting and theatre. He made me hungry to work harder and dig deeper. I also extremely enjoyed watching the six guys who bared it all grow over the course of our rehearsals from my spot behind the piano. Rehearsals were just always a pleasure- all of us extremely comfortable with one another- having to pause a lot for laughing attacks. I also enjoyed watching Elaine Stritch and Ruth Gordon clips to help me embody the old show biz aura and ball buster sass I wanted my Jeanette to emulate. I must say it was a lot of fun transforming into Jeanette- husky voice, gray hair, and all! And I lived for those flip shades- check out the pictures in my previous blog.

Our last show of the summer HAIR, which a lot of us could not wait to begin, has finally opened and now looking back on the last few months, I feel I have had an irreplaceable summer that totally took me by surprise- growing immensely as an actress and a person. Shipoopi-ing in River City, to getting all dolled up in Hollywoodland, to being retired and living in Buffalo, NY, and to now being a free spirit fluttering without reserve about the stage with my amazing tribe of hippies, I just don't think there could be a better way to end this summer of adventures. I have stepped into so many unique shoes this summer and have learned so much from telling each one of these stories. HAIR is a show I wish on any actor to do once in their life because the message is so strong and beautiful and it is so extremely freeing. Just read the book Good Hair Days by Jonathon Johnson to get the power of this show! I loved also turning to my dad to hear his memories from the 60s, getting an amazing education on a startling time period of pressing change. And the music- making playlists of Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, etc. to go running to and to rock out to before the show PLUS watching Youtube clips from Woodstock and other music festivals- has been beyond amazing. Bringing the closeness of our summer stock family- all our little tight nit relationships and individual personalities- has also made this tribe something so special. We have been through a lot this summer and we have taken it to the stage. There are no words to describe singing songs like "Hair" and "Let the Sunshine In"- they are almost outer body experiences. I could talk about HAIR and how grateful I am for hours. *Quick story*: I was out in the house during intermission groovin' with audience members our second show and showering them with love when a woman I recognized from town came up to me. We had dressing rooms next to each other in a fabulous consignment shop and she was enjoying my friend Meg and I dancing around the shop in all these vintage pieces. She asked if we were actresses- she could sense it- and we invited her to see Hair. Just seeing her in the crowd, going up to her and kissing her cheek, and hearing she was having a beautiful time put me on Cloud 9! I LIVE FOR THIS!!! A huge thanks to our director Nathaniel Shaw for giving us this magical piece.

So I am beginning to wrap up my beyond incredible summer nestled in this stunning mountainous scenery, and though I am off the wall excited to move to Philly and begin my apprenticeship with the Walnut, I know I am leaving a summer that I will refer back to as a little old lady as one of the best of my life. Its just that simple. Doing things like hiking up waterfalls on days off, running past ski slopes every morning, feeling like every night is a sleepover party with my fabulous roommates, and even sitting in our "green room" before shows that more resembles a trailer park bbq with coffees in hand- I am going to miss it all.

UPDATES:

*I move to Philly the first week of September and begin the 7th at the Walnut! My parents showed me pictures of my place and I am a little bit in love. I am happy to know that my brownstone apartment was built in the 1800s and that there is a Whole Foods a few blocks away plus a used book store and record shop. I cannot wait to date this city!

*My website is also going to be getting some work done, which includes a reel from my college theatre career, favorable reviews from this summer, and new pictures. Again, big thanks to Peter Nilsen- my website designer!

I hope all my beautiful friends from college, home, and past jobs had stunning summers and are pumped for the fall. I cannot wait for the leaves to begin turning.

"She's got everything she needs,
She's an artist, she don't look back.
She's got everything she needs,
She's an artist, she don't look back.
She can take the dark out of the nighttime
And paint the daytime black."

-Bob Dylan