Where should I begin? Much has happened since the last blog. I directed Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2 weeks in January, I was cast as Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and was offered a job at the Missoula Children's Theatre Company. Let's begin at the beginning of the year.
If I were to put my experience of Beauty and the Beast into one word: CRAZY. I knew there would be parts of it that would be. I didn't realize just how much I would tear my hair out. For starters, I only had 2 weeks to put this entire show together. I called my actors back from their Christmas Break 2 weeks before school started to get a running start. During the break, I had created a schedule that mapped out every hour of every day. I wanted to make sure the actors knew when they were needed and when they could rest. No one would waste time. What made this show a success was my incredible production team. Jessica Moore, my vocal director, helped me reign in my crazy and get things accomplished. Aaron Krueger, my choreographer, created beautiful dances and had everyone on stage dancing like professionals. Frankie Leslie, my set constructor, was brilliant. He took the designs and made them work for the stage. Not to mention the fantastic actors that put all of their effort and time into this show. We sold out Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Audiences loved the show and everyone did a beautiful job. Thank you to everyone who worked with me on this amazing show.
I am now working on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. I have the role of Titania, the fairy queen. Quick synopsis of Midsummer: There are basically four plot lines. 1.) Titania and Oberon, the fairy king, are having a dispute of a changeling boy that Titania is in charge of. Oberon wants the boy. They fight, Oberon makes Titania fall in love with an Ass, and gets the boy. 2.) Hermia, a mortal, is in love with Lysander. Both plan on running away to get away from Hermia's father who is determined that Hermia marry Demetrius. 3.) Demetrius was promised Hermia's hand in marriage but Helena loves Demetrius and is trying to win his affections. 4.) Oberon sees these four lovers and tries to help, but accidentally makes Lysander and Demetrius fall in love with Helena. At the end, Oberon makes everything right between the lovers. Lysander loves Hermia and Demetrius loves Helena. When Oberon found Titania with the Ass, he got the changeling boy. End of play.... yeah.... its messed up.
And that's what takes me to trying to figure out Titania. Why is Titania happy with Oberon at the end of the play? He drugged her and then stole the child away. The man playing Oberon with me has definitely helped me. We have discussed what can be done at the end of the play and I think we found a solution. (Come see the show April 28th - May 1st at Murray State University in Johnson Theatre.) Its been a rough road with this character for a number of reasons. First, this is my very first Shakespeare play I've performed in. Understanding the language and communicating it to the audience is incredibly hard. I know what I'm saying but now I have to figure out how to convey this character and still have people understand what I want. It's infuriating. But I'm still working and have a little over a week to finish.
And last, but most definitely not least, I was offered a job as a Tour Director/Actor at Missoula Children's Theatre. I am so excited. I auditioned at Midwest and MCT called me back. I interviewed with them and was excited to simply talk with them. Last week they called me and offered me a summer contract to tour with them this summer. I cannot believe it. I finally will get paid to act, direct, and teach. All three of my passions rolled into one job. The woman who contacted me also said if everything goes well this summer for me and for the company, there is a distinct possibility that I can come back to work for them in January. This summer is going to be such an adventure and I cannot wait to start. I'll try to keep you updated as much as possible on the tour.
Theatre in my life has been going pretty stellar for the most part right now. It's been such a crazy semester with school work and other shenanigans in life but the end of this semester has tied everything together. I thank God that he has given me these opportunities.
