The Energizer Bunny

Well, my first quarter at UCI has officially ended. I'm still waiting for the grades to come in, but finals are over and I'm on Christmas Break!! WOO HOO! FREEDOM!. . . . oh wait. I have rehearsals?

That's right! It never stops. I am now in rehearsals for Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. I am acting as the Assistant Stage Manager, with my focus on costumes. So for this production I must schedule all costume fittings, follow up and be sure the actors attended and arrived on time, track costume pieces, and all quick changes, etc. etc. etc. With a cast of almost twenty, it's going to be a fun challenge! I'm really excited for this project because this production is going to be "the maiden voyage" of UCI's New Swan theatre space. The best way to describe The New Swan is as a Globe-esque theatre, including a two-story seating area in the round for audience and no standing "groundling" area. This space will be built on our Claire Trevor Theater stage and is designed to dismantle in pieces so that it can be resembled in Aldrich Park for a summer Shakespeare Festival. . . . Now. . . if you are thoroughly confused, never fear! Just imagine a theater within in a theater and you're on your way. It's pretty much gonna be epic! So if you're a fan of good theatre, anticipate coming out to support all the cast and crew's hard work in early February.

Rehearsals for MoV (Merchant of Venice) run eight hour days Monday through Saturday of next week, but despite that I have still been blessed with hours at work. So this next week is gonna be quite the marathon.

As far as my pursuing a job at ICT in Long Beach... well I'm still waiting, BUT I did receive an email saying I will be contacted in late December. So still... fingers crossed!!!

Other than that, I've nothing to report, so I'll leave you with a nice song lyric...

[singing] "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me..."

Well it's about time!

It's been FAR too long since I last updated you all on my life. So buckle your seat belts, cause this here's gonna be the wildest ride in the OC!!

So Le Misanthrope closed on October 30th. (That's the show I was AMSing for) I was a very bittersweet ending. I made some great friends and I miss seeing everyone so often... but thankfully we do go to the same school together, so its not like I never see them ;) Anyway, the show went VERY well and we received good audience feedback.

Now I'm just focusing on classes and work. Holidays are around the corner, so hours are picking up and my first school quarter is coming to a close. Tomorrow I register for classes, and let me tell you, next quarter is gonna be a doozy! My goal is to declare honors in stage management by the end of this academic year. For that to happen, I must complete all my design classes and crew hours, among other minor details. SO, next quarter I will be taking a total of 24 units (4 above the normally allowed amount). I can handle it though, no worries!! I'm up for the challenge.

But why am I doing this you ask? Well, the thing is: being a transfer student has allotted me less time to complete classes in time to declare for honors. If I want time to actually reap the benefits of being an honor student, I need to declare as soon as possible. <-- So there ladies and gentlemen, is the reason behind my madness.

OH!! ALSO!! I applied for a assistant stage manager and running crew position for a theater in Long Beach for the summer. Don, my Stage Management teacher and mentor, has really aided me in this process. I'm MOST thankful for his wisdom and guidance. Fingers crossed people!!

In short, I'm just being a typical student. Eat. Sleep. School. Work. Rinse. Repeat.

Bring it on!

So about a week ago I was given a promotion. I am now the Assistant Stage Manager of Properties for Le Misanthrope. Its a been a bit of a challenge switching gears and my mindset for the show, but TRUST... Its nothing I can't handle! We have no scenic support on this show. (For you non-theatrical folks, that means no set or prop designer.) That being said, it is my job to make sure all needed props are collected, tracked, taken care of, fixed, cleaned. . . . All things props! The other ASM, PA, and I even had to reupholster chairs! They look great by the way, but I digress. The point is, I'm having a blast! The show opens in about  two weeks and I can't wait! Its gonna be a good'n!!

Thats all for now folks!

And so it begins...

Well. 

I did it. I moved out for the first time and (sung in style of Kristen Chenoweth) “I couldn’t be happier!!” :)

On September 12th I moved out of my house in Hemet and into my own town home in Irvine. Its an absolutely adorable 2 bed, 2 bath town home in an apartment complex across the street from campus. Residing with 3 of my friends from high school is quite the adventure, but I’m loving it. We’re still decorating and adjusting, but it already feels like home. 

I’ve only been here about three weeks now, but I think its safe to say I’m adjusting well. I do get homesick from time to time, but I’m keeping busy, so that helps a lot! I was able to transfer my job at Bath & Body Works to a store somewhat near my home and I love my managers. They’re pretty awesome and have made me feel very welcomed. They’ve also been VERY willing to work with me in juggling my school/show schedule.

School started on September 21st. Let me tell you… I love love love love LOOOOOVE my classes! I’m taking History of Musical Theatre (from Stephen Sondheim to the present), Development of Drama, Development of Theatre, and Stage Management. The professors here are amazing! My first week of school I introduced myself to the Head of Stag Management, Don Hill, and expressed my passion for stage management and my academic goals in pursuing a career in this. He has enthusiastically taken me under his wing! I signed up to work on stage management teams for the main season shows. The graduate stage managers immediately jumped at “hiring” me on. I was shocked! The first full week of school and I’ve already had 3 offers to either PA (production assistant) or ASM (assistant stage manage). I have accepted 2 of the 3 offers. I am currently a PA for a production of Moliere’s Le Misanthropeand come December I will ASM for a production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. I’m ecstatic!! These opportunities do not usually come this quickly in this abundance, so I feel very fortunate, blessed, and thankful!

Moving out here has been by far the best life decision I’ve made thus far. The opportunities are endless!

Thats all I have to report for now. 

Thank you for everyone (mentors, family, friends, and teachers) for the support and the lessons you have taught me. Without you, I could not be standing here today.