The Importance of Being... Awesome!

You know, I thought when I graduated college that I would have more free time, and I wouldn't feel so busy... I was very wrong. Although I am participating in fewer activities, they are taking up more time than the many activities I was doing before. Just a few short months ago I was going to school full time, working part time, performing in a show (which I had to commute an hour to), constructing 5 full costumes for said show, and trying to squeeze in homework (trying to graduate), practicum hours, and my church calling. People would ask me all the time how I could possibly do so much, and I can honestly say it almost killed me, and I was pretty numb by graduation, but I made it! Now that school isn't in the equation, I figured that I would have time to do more for myself, but I didn't realize that having a full time job would take up more of my week than all of those other things before. I'm only working, directing a show, and fulfilling my church calling; but I think I'm just as mentally and emotionally exhausted as before. But everything will work out, just like it did before. I have hope.


Don't misunderstand me, I really love my life right now. I finally feel like an independent adult: working full time, paying for my own living, and making my own decisions completely; and I love that! I am directing my first show, which is super exciting, if not absolutely terrifying... but we just had our first meeting and our get-to-know-you rehearsal, so we're not quite into the process yet. I have been making and developing amazing friendships lately, and these friends have been a real strength to me during this difficult time in my life. When I lay out the blessings that I have and really look at them, I can see that I have no reason to complain or to be unhappy. Life is really good, despite all of the recent confusion and heartache I've experienced. I'm not alone, and I have full faith that everything will be fine.

The thing that has been filling all of my thoughts and dreams lately has been The Importance of Being Earnest. Many months ago, I found out that the direct for the the Fall slot at The Old Barn Community Theatre would be moving away, and that they were looking for someone to direct the straight play, I jumped at the opportunity. I told the Board that I would soon be graduating from Weber State with my Bachelor or Arts in Musical Theatre, and I that I would love to have the chance to direct a full production. They took me on! I began looking for a straight comedy back in March (or even earlier, I was really excited), and I kept coming back to The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. This was the first play that I read just for the sake of reading a show, back when I was in junior high or high school, and I thought it was hilarious! I didn't think much of it after that point, other than watching the Collin Firth, Rupert Everret movie version every once in a while; but when the time came to choose a show, this one really spoke to me.

Once we decided to start ironing out the details of how we were going to put on this show, my assistant director gave a brilliant suggestion: set it in the 1920s. Genius, I know. He always is. It will be a different production from other Earnests, it will be easier to find costumes and set pieces, and we have the freedom to add a few interesting things (our Algernon is learning how to play the Ukulele!). I couldn't be more excited about the concept! What makes this whole thing even more exciting was the talent that came out to auditions last week. I am happy to say that casting was extremely difficult, because everyone was good! I didn't want to loose anyone that came out... but alas, even with the parts we added to the show, there are only 12 cast members. But these 12 people have so much talent, I have no doubts that they will all work hard to make this show as wonderful as I see in my mind!

I will post the show dates, times, and location when the event is closer. I want to share this beauty with everyone!

...on my own, and loving it!

I have finally crossed over into the realm of adulthood: I have moved into my own apartment! After I graduated from high school I lived with my grandparents for a few months while I went to Weber State… I didn’t like it, so I went back home to work for a while. Then I went to Utah State and lived on campus with a couple roommates for a semester, until I decided to serve a mission… where, once again, I was not alone. Upon returning from my mission, I went right back to Grandma’s to finish up at Weber State, where I’ve been for the past three years. Even after I graduated, I lived with my boyfriend’s parents for a month while I found a place to live.

Finally, I have a place that is just mine! I have enjoyed the freedom of making the food that I want to eat, watching the movie or television show that I want to watch, or read a book without feeling the need to entertain someone else. I only have myself to answer to, and that in itself has been a nice change. (My Grandma, bless her, is the biggest worrier I’ve ever met. I had to call her every night to let her know when I’d be home or she’d stay up debating whether or not to call the police.) And as silly as it sounds, I like being able to organize my rooms exactly the way I want them. 

In all likelihood, I will be spending very little time in my apartment in the near future, since rehearsals for Hello Dolly! begin tonight. I decided not to be an actor in the musical because of all of the other things that I have to do: I’m the music director, the understudy for Dolly (just in case), will more likely than not be making some costumes, and I have my own show to prepare (The Importance of Being Earnest). I was offered a role as a dancer in the ensemble, but I declined as graciously as possible. It’s not that I’m a diva and will only accept leads, because I really enjoy being in the ensemble… I just knew that I had a lot of other things on my plate. I don’t want to be overwhelmed… again. Anyway, the point of this little story is that I’ll be out most nights doing rehearsals, so any time spent in my apartment will be sleeping, eating, and showering (not at the same time). I’m hoping that I get a couple nights a week to myself so that I can finish Remington Steel.

Just to make sure that you don’t think I’m some sort of hermit, I want to assure you that I am still a very social person. Over the past few weeks I’ve definitely spend more evenings out with friends than spending a quiet evening at home. Those are definitely rare… but I truly believe that I need some “me time” at least once a week to retain my sanity. I love having the time to look at my life, where I’m headed, where I want to be heading, and evaluating the choices I’ve been making. I need to do this now more than ever, because my life has completely changed. I’ve become such a professional at being a student, and now that part of my life is over. I have lots of different choices to make now.

The moral of the story is that I love my new place!

Giving it 100%

As stated in the previous blog, I was raised in a house that was filled with music and theatre. During my years at home, my parents were often away in the evenings at some community theatre or other, devoting their nights and weekends to a musical. They never once thought to themselves, “Maybe I just won’t go to rehearsal tonight.” My parents taught me that when you make a commitment like that, you don’t just back out because you don’t feel like going.

This principle has become part of who I am, and not just in theatrical aspects of my life. When I have made a commitment of any kind, my determination to complete the task goes far beyond feelings of obligation. There is no question in my mind… it has to be done. For example, when I decided to work toward a Bachelor of Arts I knew that I wouldn’t quit until it was done. Yes, there were plenty of mornings that I wanted more than anything to sleep instead of going to my 8 am ballet class; but I went. I finished. I graduated. Never once did I entertain the idea of dropping out of college and leaving my goal unattained. This is just one example of many… and I want to thank my wonderful parents for instilling such an invaluable principle in me. As much as this has helped me in the past, my determination to finish what I start will assist me in all of my future endeavors, such as marriage, motherhood, and community involvement.

The reason that I’m bringing this up is to help others understand why theatre seems to take precedence over other aspects of my life. This is, of course, not an accurate statement. There are many other things that are higher on my priorities list than being in a show… I don’t have to be involved in a production to survive (it certainly helps maintain my sanity, but isn’t essential). Once I have agreed to participate in a theatrical production (through acting, directing, costuming, or any other way) I am extremely determined to see it through to the end. Dropping out, not showing up, or doing the task at anything less than 100% is out of the question. My principles won’t allow me to even consider it.

Others have said that they don’t really understand how I feel, but I can honestly say that have a difficult time understanding how people can be so lukewarm about a commitment that was made. I don’t connect with someone that is involved in a show and decides to drop out halfway through the rehearsal process, or choses to go to some other event on a night that we have a show scheduled to perform. When I question such a person about their decision they usually say something like, “I didn’t think I was that important to the cast,” “someone can cover for me,” “I’m not missing anything,” or “I’d rather be at (fill in the blank) than here.” This makes no sense to my brain. Even the smallest cast member is essential to the performance running smoothly! People often don’t see their role as important, but I can say from experience that when a person isn’t there that you’re used to acting with… it really throws you for a loop, and it’s sometimes difficult to recover.

I guess what I’m saying it, if you commit to something in life (ANYTHING at all) give it everything that you’ve got. If it’s something that you’re not willing to put 100% into, then don’t agree to it. Others will be relying on your to do your part. Don’t let them down.

Remember the Magic

I've been meaning to post about my most recent theatrical experience for over a week now... but I still feel like I'd be poking at a fresh wound. I know, I know... "It's just a play," you might respond, "why would it ending effect you so much?" Well, to me theatre is more than just fun. To me, theatre is as much a part of my life as eating. I can go for a while without it, but eventually I need another fix to function normally.

I have been in several shows over the course of my 25 years of life. My parents were (and still are) very much involved in the theatre. I was raised listening to show tunes on Saturdays (that was cleaning day), watching my parents perform from the audience, and being on stage with them. I continued to enjoy performing in high school, although I concentrated on my choir activities more than the drama club. I performed in community show until my mission... where I started going through "withdrawals" because I couldn't be in a show while I was serving the Lord for 18 months. Really, that's not a horribly long time to go without theatre... but it was then that I realized that I don't want to live without theatre in my life... and I decided to go to Weber State University to study Musical Theatre.

I thought I had a great love for performing before Weber State... but now, I find that I am obsessed with it! The more I learned, the more I loved. And the more I loved, the more I grew. I am by no means the best actor, singer, or dancer... but I have been given (or better yet, earned) something that is most precious to me: education. I hunger for it. I want to know everything that I can about the things that I love, and I want to continue that learning for the rest of my life.

That brings me to Remember the Magic: A Musical Tribute to Disney. Two of my favorite things in one place: performing, and Disney! Lets face it... who doesn't love Disney? In this production I got to change from character to character with each new number, and I had to really pull out my inner child to channel into the magic that Disney brings to peoples lives. When I open up like that, I become vulnerable... and when I am in such an open state, the friendships I make with my fellow actors are stronger than any other. I becomes so entirely attached to the people and the performance itself that when it is ripped from me like this, it really stings.

Remember the Magic is up in the top three of the best shows I've been a part of; and that's saying something, because I've been in a lot of amazing productions! I will never forget the magic that I felt bringing the beauty of Disney to our audiences. I will always hold this experience close to my heart.

Xanagrads

You know, over the past two months I was not looking forward to going to graduations. Graduating from college, yes; sitting in a room full of people I didn't really know and listening to some guy speak for an hour, no. And not only was there a Commencement at eight in the morning, but there was a Convocation at 2:30. The fact is, I wasn't even going to attend graduation at all. Just hand me my diploma, I'm done! But when I was asked to sing with some of my fellow theatre students at the Convocation, I decided if I had to go to either one of these activities, it would the the Convocation (because I don't back down from a public singing opportunity, and why could I go to the Commencement where my name wasn't mentioned?). I'll skip the early morning Commencement and just attend the Convocation.

All in all, I'm glad I made the choices that I did. I heard from sources that shall remain unnamed that the speaker for the Commencement had interesting things to say... but took way too long to say them. Some people just can't tell when they are losing their audience. Thank goodness I've been trained as an actress to recognize those things. I'm not sad at all that I missed out on that one.

The Convocation, however, was a freakin' party!! The whole thing was Xanadu themed, since that was the musical of choice this year at Weber State. As a side note, I love everything about Xanadu the musical! Everything! It warms my soul and works out my abs from continuous laughter. That is beside the point. All of the graduates were given streamer to wave about as we walked across the stage; Xanadu was playing in the background; and my fellow graduates who performed in Xanadu skated across the stage rather than walked. I thought it was pretty sweet. They also moved our spirits with a rousing performance of "Don't Walk Away". Amazing! I love my friends so very much. They are incredibly talented. To close the Convocation, we four ladies (and supposedly the audience, I couldn't hear anyone singing along) sang a ridiculous song we like to call Keep Wearing Purple. I felt like we were trying to hypnotize the audience into doing our bidding. Yes, it was that ridiculous.

Can I just say, I love that my department, and Weber State in general, is so crazy! That was one rockin' graduation!!

Welcome to the wonderful life of Sarah! I've toyed around with the idea of starting a blog for a while now, and I've finally given in. I just hope that what I have to say about life is entertaining, insightful, and even inspiring... but mostly entertaining.

To begin, half an hour from now, I will be heading over to the Weber State University for my GRADUATION! I've worked myself to the bone for this Bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre, and I'm going to brag about it. It's been a long time coming. So, I'm wearing my cutest purple outfit, my robes are pressed, and my voice is warmed up for the singing, and I am prepared to have a good time! And possibly cry a little. (That's one thing you'll get to know about me... I cry all the time. Seriously, it's almost embarrassing.)

As thrilled as I am about being done with school, it's all I know how to do. I've been schooling for the majority of my life and I've become pretty much a professional at being a student. Now that it's over... I have to be... a real adult!! Not only do I have to grow up, but I'm really going to miss my friends at Weber State. I have consoled myself with the fact that this will not be the last time I see these people. The theatre community in Utah isn't very large, and more likely than not... I will continue to perform with these wonderfully talented people for the rest of my life! Thank goodness. I hate leaving people.

I won't have a lot of time to grieve and/or party tonight because I've got another show to do!! I'm in a variety show called Remember the Magic: a Musical Tribute to Disney, and I am just LOVING it! Who doesn't love Disney? Crazy people. It's been far too long since I've done this show (four days), and I've missed being on the stage. I know, I know. I'm nuts, but you gotta love me anyway. I'm addicted to theatre!