Sin City, here I come!

Hi everyone! It has been about two weeks since I posted anything on my blog but I thought that I would let you all know that I made it back home to Wichita on July 10th. I had a fun two months in Tulsa, OK performing there with a lot of crazy talented folks. Here is a link to a webpage of some of the photos you can flip through to see photos from the productions: http://photos.davegribbin.com/Light-Opera-of-Oklahoma. Now that I am back home, things have been super busy and I am not wanting to do much but relax. Luckily, I have been able to stay focused, especially since I am headed to the Fabulous Las Vegas this Saturday for a family vacation. I can not wait to be there and see the beautiful sites and soak in the culture that is Sin City. Then, after I return, I have two days here in Wichita before taking off to North Carolina to visit my sister and her family. Finally, after that trip, I begin school on August 2nd taking an online pre-session. YUCK! I have a feeling this will not be a fun class but I need to take it in order to graduate. Well, I best be going because I need to clean my room and get ready for our Vegas Trip. I want to see every Elvis impersonator I can and win big bucks! Luck Be a LADY!

Oklahoma Float Trip

While staying in Tulsa, OK for the summer, we have also had several opportunities as a cast to take breaks from rehearsing and performing shows. On our day off, some of my close friends from Light Opera Oklahoma decided to take a float trip down the Illinois River in Tahlequah, OK, a city about an hour and half away from Tulsa. It was a ton of fun! For thirteen bucks a person, we were able to rent an inner tube and travel down the Illinois River for three and a half hours. Luckily, we packed food and ice cold beverages to help get through that amount of time. I truly felt like Huck Finn traveling down that river and seeing fish and river rocks along the way. There were several areas along the way where we could stop and take a snack break and skip rocks as well as swing from ropes and jump into the river. It was my first float trip down a river and if you haven't taken one, I would highly recommend it! On the other hand, the fun here in Tulsa, OK is winding down to a rapid end. I have about nine more days here until I return back home to Wichita. Then, as a family, we will be taking off for Las Vegas, Nevada and North Carolina to visit family and friends! I can't wait!

'LOOK' KICKS OFF TODAY

Hey everyone! Today, Light Opera Oklahoma or LOOK kicks off their season today in Tulsa, OK. I am very excited to begin performances here. For about two weeks, we have rehearsed our tails off and are now ready to present two, full-length productions to the general public. The shows that are ready to open this week are The Boy Friend and Patience. It has been a fun and exciting process to be apart of blocking and rehearsing such classics that are not often presented in the realms of musical theatre. In about two more weeks, we open Kiss Me Kate. I'm sure that out of all the three productions, Kiss Me Kate will be by far my favorite. If any of you are planning to visit the Tulsa, OK area this summer and are interested in seeing the shows, please comment on this post and I can give you ticket information. Mainly, you want to visit www.lightoperaok.org. There, they will have ticket prices as well as ways to order online. Well, I need to run and get ready for the show this evening. We are having one last big rehearsal before we open. See you tonight!

Memorial Day Weekend

I was able to visit family and friends this past Memorial Day weekend. I traveled home to Wichita for such an encounter. It was a great opportunity to see those who are closest to me and to also get a chance to tell everyone what has been going on in Tulsa, OK. I encouraged everyone to come see the shows if they could. The best part of the trip was being able to see my neice and nephew. My, they have gotten to be so big and are maturing quickly. My neice recently turned five and I was absoloutely amazed how smart she has become. Now, I am back in Tulsa, OK and am content getting back into the routine that I have been in for about two weeks now. This morning I worked out and rehearsed. I will need to go shopping tomorrow for clothes and an outfit to wear to this concert we are doing. Well, I better be going for now, I will see you all soon in a month!

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Today, my Tulsa friends and I visited the animal shelter. The animals there were primarily cats and dogs. The cats were very loveable and cute, especially the kittens. However, when we went inside the dog pound to see some of the dogs and how they were living in the cages, I was actually taken back by how awful they were living. There living conditions were barren. Mostly they were in cages with one cot and food. Some of the dogs had no where to go to the bathroom so most had to relieve themselves on their own bed. I wanted to go to the dog pound for a fun experience and pet the cute puppies, but unfortunatley, it was actually more depressing seeing the dogs in their condition then actually being able to pet them. So, no matter where you live, I hope that you can save or adopt a dog. And if not, hopefully they all go to heaven. But if you save them, then you deserve to go to heaven. :P

This is the dawning of the age of Aquariums!

Yesterday, some of the cast members and I visited the Oklahoma Aquairum in Jenks, OK, a town located a few minutes from Tulsa. The cost to get in was a bit pricy but well worth it in the end. It was great seeing unusual underwater creatures that one does not normally get to see in real life. There were jelly fishes, star fishes, seahorses, and even otters. You could feed the turtles if you wanted to and also pet sting rays. But the coolest exhibit by far was the shark exhibit in which one could walk underneath a dome shaped aquarium as sharks swam around and above you. It certainly was scary and thrilling at the same time. Well everyone, I am off to bed. It has been a long day of rehearsal but I will let you know what is going on hopefully tomorrow!

Tulsa!

Hey everyone! As you may remember from my previous posts, I was hired again this summer to perform in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the 2010 Light Opera of Oklahoma Season. I am here now in Tulsa and enjoying my time away from Wichita. It is a great time meeting new friends and a chance making new ones. Tulsa is a lot like Wichita in the way it is laid out and what the city has to offer as far as entertainment. For instance, Tulsa has a big one time art festival called MayFest. This event is similar to Wichita's Final Friday, but it happens only one time in the summer. Also, where we perform is at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center which is a lot like the convention center, Century II, downtown in Wichita. Well! That is all for now! I will keep you 'posted' on what I will be doing throughtout the summer. Peace out!!

Pop Goes the Weasel

Thats what I felt like this past weekend. A weasel. This past Saturday, I sprained my ankle at a dance jury for musical theatre majors. Juries are the final hoorah of the semester. It is a sort of a mock auditon and a chance to showcase all of your hard work that you have done. In the morning, we do a dance combination and then in the afternoon, we sing two pieces and perform a monologue. Well, that morning at the dance jury, I sprained my ankle. I happened to land wrong doing a left barrel turn. This is the firt time that I have ever sprained my ankle. And it sucks. I have a deeper appreciation for those who are physically handicapped. I am also worried that I will sprain it again. Everyone tells me that it happen again. I just hope that I am walking by this weekend as I begin rehearsals in Tulsa, OK for the 2010 Light Opera of Oklahoma season. If not, then I may have to come home for the summer! Hope everything pans out.....

RSO Awards

Last evening, the Center for Student Leadership hosted the 2009-2010 Recognized Student Organization Awards honoring all student groups on campus for their hard work and the student leaders within the organization. SAS was selected as the RSO of the Year! The BIGGIE! It was such an honor to receive such a recognition, especially serving as the current President. You gain a certain since of pride to be apart of a successful group that is recognized as the group of the year. I was very pleased with the outcome and can't wait to share the news with other members of Student Ambassador Society.

Mosley, Cabaret, and Crown Uptown

What do these three words have in common? Well, they are all three names of three professional dinner theatres in town. When you come to WSU, on the weekends and even some week nights, you will be able to be easily entertained at these three venues at a very reasonable price. Mosley Street Melodrama presents very comedic and melodramatic shows while the Cabaret Oldtown presents often original shows written and produced by Wichita actors in the community. Crown Uptown Profession Dinner Theatre presents original, musical theatre shows. Tonight, I will be attending Mosley Street Melodrama and hope to be entertained by local Wichita Favorites including Emma Craig, a dear friend of mine. Break a leg Emma!

Near Graduation

As we end the Spring Semester of 2010, I have come to notice that I am nearing Graduation here at WSU. I have about three semesters left, according to my student records, and let's hope for no more or no less. Though I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at WSU, I am looking forward to graduating and hopefully working as a professional performer. My dream, of course, would be on Broadway in New York, but I would just be as happy as to work for a National Broadway Touring Company or least work enough to pay the bills. It seems more than ever, people are wanting to be famous and they start of by doing it in the Great Big Apple in New York. I still need to make a trip to the city to see if I will be able to live there and make my dreams a reality, but in the meantime, I am left here to study and count down the days to graduation.

Watch Out for Bad Romance

No, no. I am not in love. Rather I have a bad romance. Not the kind that Lady Gaga describes in her hit song, but rather a bad romance for food. Yes, fellow bloggers. I love to eat! And who doesn't in Wichita? Just this past week, I ate out at a couple of restaurants and realized how much I missed eating out. I haven't had a whole lot of time in the past to go out and eat and enjoy the whole dining experience, but I have a had time lately. My stomach is truly happy, but not me when I stuff myself with scrumptous, delicious food. One of my favorite restaurants that I visited was Cafe Moderne and another was Mead's Corner. If you ever decide to come to WSU for college, you need to certainly experience the monstronsity of these wonderful restaurants. Also, as a group for SAS, we cooked for the Ronald McDonald House, a charity orginization that houses underpriveleged families who have children in the hospital. Amy Nichols, one of the officers in the group, suggested that we cook Chicken Alfredo Pizza. We made it in less than 20 minutes. I can't wait to try and cook this on my own. Welp. Gotta run, cookies are in the oven.

Final Friday: Shift Space WSU Art Gallery

This evening, I am going to go to Final Friday with some of my fellow SAS members to look at the WSU art gallery called Shift Space. Shift Space is this WSU student run art gallery located in oldtown next to the Warren movie theatres. We are mainly going to go for two reasons: to see the art work of WSU students and to make a special purchase of art work as a present for two people who we are inducting as Honorary Members into Student Ambassador Society. The best part about Final Friday is that everything, for the most part, is absolutely free. You can casually walk downtown and look at various art by several local artists and wine and dine for free at each art gallery. It is a great chance to see what is happening in the Wichita area as well as see what local artisits, especially WSU artists are creating and designing. So, join is if you can. Our first stop is at 7:30 p.m. at Mead's Corner for Coffee and Gelato. Yum!

Splish Splash

Now that summer is here, it means that it is time to constantly cool off. I workout a lot and try to drink as much water as I can, but sometimes it is difficult to always get that recommended 8 ounces of water. Also, I love taking cool baths in the night time now. It is just a great chance to relax and enjoy a little personal me time from a long days work. Plus, my muscles are still recovering from the musical that we presented a week ago. But it all cool, because I happened to be nominated for an acting award that I will need to compete for in January of next year. Finally, I can't wait to go swimming this summer! It will be fun staying down in Tulsa, OK and swimming with my friends and hottubbing it up. Surely, it will be a fun and relaxing summer!! YAY!

Two, Two, Two!

As we near the final two weeks of school, everything seems to be in two's. Unlike the breakfast order at Jimmie's Dinner, I have two papers, two monologues, and two projects left before it is officially SUMMER!! The majority of the work is due this week. For instance, the two monologues are due tomorrow that I haven't even begun to memorize. I will have to be sure that I memorize those tonight so I can perform them tomorrow. The papers are due on Friday and the Projects are due next week. As things are winding down, I can feel the lifted weight of pressure being lifted off my shoulders. Can we just hurry to May 13th when I leave for Tulsa?? Please and Thank you!

"SOS, Please someone, help me!"

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, only Rhianna can save me now. As the semester winds down to an end, it seems the amount of homework keeps increasing. But keep in mind, that I did take 18 hours and worked. Despite the craziness of the schedule, I am debating about taking even more next semester but probably cutting my hours at work. We shall see how things pan out when I finalize my school schedule for Fall 2010. Just typing the words FALL 2010 brings an uncomfortable pain to my stomach. Are we really that close to starting school back up again. Am I really that close to graduation and moving to New York? Holy moly, I am!!!

Works of Art

I have mentioned several times in my blogs that I am in a group called Student Ambassador Society. In this group, we primarily host fun events in order to recruit incoming and transfer students to Wichita State University. Lately, I am working on a fun project with another group officer and our adviser searching for a piece of art work to give to two individuals as a thank who have been very beneficial and supportive of our group's endeavors. In order to find such works of art, I ventured on campus to the McKnight building and Henrion Hall to find a piece of art work. Luckily, I found interesting pieces that I'm sure would be appealing to our award winners. I have never been over there before, but I was amazed at what neat art work goes on at WSU that most students never get a chance to see, due to hectic and busy schedules. SO get out there and see those works of art!

The Show is Over...WHAT NOW?

The show is finally over after many months of rehearsal. So what now? Now, I have exactly one month to turn in all my final projects for school and prepare for finals before leaving for Tulsa, Oklahoma for summer performances. Plus, I need to prepare for that by packing food and clothes and learning all the music and memorizing the lines for those productions. It is a crazy life being a performer but it is fast-paced and simple all the same. IT is exciting to travel and see everything. Can't wait to see where I end up after graduation!!

It is the day of the show, Y'all!

Tonight is opening night!! AHH! Everyone is so pumped and excited to finally have an audience! We have worked so hard for little over a month and it has come to this culmination of that curtain opening and exposing us for what we have created. As I have mentioned several times in my past blogs, the WSU Musical Theatre Department is proud to present Urinetown April 15-18. Please come and see the show. I will give you a hint of the role that I play. His name is Mr. McQueen, and with a name like that, the name certainly says it all! I hope you all can make it out this weekend to to see this show. It will certainly lift anyone's spirits in this time of economic upheaval.

GLEE IS BACK ON!

Don't stop believin, cause the hit Television series Glee is back on. Now, anymore these days I don't have time to watch Television, but the one show that I will take time to watch is GLEE! WHY? Because it is absolutley entertaining and filled with clever writing and show stopping musical numbers. I didn't get to catch the first episode last night, but I did in fact tape it. I overheard some friends discussing that the episode had a musical number poking fun at Madonna's Vogue, as well as several dramatic events occuring to catch up the audience to speed on where they left off from last season. SO, if you get the chance to catch Glee, it will be on again next Tuesday. I swear it is a show that you won't regret watching.

Trying to Play Catch UP

Seems like this week will be a whirlwind. With tech rehearsal for the musical, then actually performing it on top of class and work, I just hope I can stay on top of everything that is required of me. So far, I started off poorly by being late to my first class this morning and skipping on breakfast for a few extra hours of sleep. Plus, I had forgotten that today we visited a couple of high schools to perform a few scenes from the show to help generate ticket sales and interest among the students to attend WSU and study theatre and the performing arts. And talking with some of the drama teachers there made me realize that maybe I too could be a drama teacher someday when the performing career gets askewed and the dream burns out. But for now, on with the show!

The month of the Car

This month, everything seems to have gone wrong with our cars as a family. My dad's fan belt broke and was undriveable for about two days. My car's battery died and recently, my headlight went out. Luckily, a cop pulled me over one evening to inform me that the light had burned out. And finally, my mom got into a wreck and had to purchase a brand new car. WHAT NEXT? TIRES? I will certainly need to have my tires checked on my own car before leaving for Tulsa, as well as one final 'check-up' to make sure everything is working in proper order. I just hope that I won't have to get them completely replaced. But thank goodness for knowledable and friendly mechanics. Not a single person who has worked on my car has been unfriendly. And they all seem to absolutely love their job, despite the minimal pay. So, maybe I do want my tires to go flat in order to go visit those friendly mechanics again...

ONE WEEK AWAY

A week from today marks the opening night for the WSU Spring Musical Urinetown. Please plan to attend! Urinetown is a hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom! This is an absolutely hilarious show and one of my favorites to perform. The dates of the show are April 15, 16, 17, at 7:30 p.m. and April 18 at 2:00 p.m. Call 316-978-3233 to reserve your tickets! Hope see you there!

Hippodrome

This evening, Hippodrome performances start at WSU. Hippodrome is WSU's longest, running traditions in which student and Greek orginizations peform original skits to the campus and Wichita community. All are welcome to attend the festivities. Tonight, my fraternity will perform their original work. It is a fun and exciting time, filled with "friendly" competition and free food and prizes. This Saturday, Hippodrome will conclude with performances from all the groups and an awards ceremony. Hope to see you out at Hippodrome!

Warning: Singers on Board

MAN OH MAN!! What a day! Today, I was absolutely an emotional wreck. I am constantly performing and all over the place and today was the icing on the cake! Today, we had a studio recital at WSU in which several students from various vocal studios sang pieces that you are currently working on. EVERYONE SANG SO WELL!! I was pleased to hear such rich voices, including Mandy Brown's and several I have never heard before. Today, I sang decently, though I have been making small improvements and adjustments with my own voice. Can't wait for the next studio recital because one thing it helps improve is Singer CONFIDENCE. Peace out!

Spring Time=Spring Fashion

Okay....Today was the FIRST day that I was able to finally wear shorts! YAY! I am so excited that the weather is warming up. And because the weather is nicer, I am switching out all my dreary winter clothes to fun spring and summer clothes. It is about time! I have waited forever to finally wear nice bright colors. And luckily, today in the mail, I recieved several magazines advertising retail sales on clothing at several stores at the mall. Shopping spree this weekend? I think so! Fellow bloggers and readers, I hope you too are dragging our your spring clothing and I also hope that that includes Shocker T-shirts as well for those baseball games!

To be or not to be.....

In my advanced acting class, we are currently on the subject of the most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. Through our class discussions of his works and use of iambic pentameters, we are also assigned partners and a scene from one of his famous plays. My partner and I have a scene from Richard III. I had forgotten how awkward and poetic Shakespeare language can be. I have done a couple of Shakespearean shows in high school: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Much Ado about Nothing. Thankfully by doing those shows, my understanding of the language is enhanced. What I have learned by doing this scene in acting class is to be absolutely believable as an actor and to always know my objectives and what I want from the other person. I can not wait to perform these, but in the meantime, I have been asking myself "to be or not to be" an actor......AHH! Bye for now.

Take me out to the Ball GAME(S)!

Can you believe it? Easter is next weekend!! Holy cow. I am a huge fan of the Easter Bunny but before he comes to visit our house, we need to do some extra preparations. My mom will probably be cooking this weekend. So, with that in mind, I am staying clear of the kitchen and our house together. Tomorrow I am excited for a big Saturday. I am going to go watch my five year old neice play soccer. Sports, too much too soon? Maybe. But not for this tough little tyke. And then following that soccer game, I will be going to my first baseball game of the season. And what better way than to spend it with my fellow Student Ambassador Society members. We will be grilling and watching the WSU Baseball game. And then Sunday, I will be watching the Wiyos of OZ, a fusion of media and dance put on by the WSU dance program. This weekend hails to be a busy one. Good thing, cause goodness knows I do not want to be near my momma when she is cookin' for Easter. Peace out ya'll.

Walking on Sunshine

Today was a pretty good day. And I think partly because of one reason: the weather! The weather is finally getting warmer and because of it, people's outlook on life are matching the bright, sunshiney days. We have been sick of the cold, nasty, unpleasant weather and it has been finally nice to begin to wear shorts and t-shirts. Most everyone on campus today was wearing outfits that certainly reflected the warm weather. I myself, had on a light hoodie and shorts. It is so nice, that I want to ask our directors to have rehearsal outside tonight. Now that would surely be an experience. People would walk by looking at us all crazy thinking, "Who do THEY think they are?" It's okay. We get used to that---A LOT.

Back in the Swing of Things

So, these past two days back from Spring Break have been extremely painful. Projects, Papers, and homework seem to keep piling up. I am beginning to think that 18 hours was not a good idea after all. I barely have time to work on assignments, especially now that we have started rehearsal. I am at school mostly from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and then rehearsal starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. Yesterday, I noticed that I didn't eat lunch or dinner and I hadn't drank enough water, which made for a lovely voice lesson this morning. Now is the time of the semester when everything seems to become full throttle and there is now slowing down until summer. Just hope things get better with school and that I am able to keep up with the rest of 'em. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, and it's something I can't stand when other people do it, but I thought today was a good to put my two bits in. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Last Day of Spring Break

Hey Everyone! It is the last day of spring break! AHH!! Man! This week flew by. But I am excited to finish up the semester as busy as it will be. We have less than two weeks left in March. In April, we have Urinetown the musical, and then only two weeks in May before school is out and I'm back in Tulsa. Oh yea, I forgot to tell you all how my auditions turned out. I was offered again to live in Tulsa for the summer performing down there and doing summerstock. I am very excited to see old friends and make new ones. I will be down there from May 13-July10. LONG TIME! And then Vegas and North Carolina! BUSY BUSY BUSY! Yay life! Gotta run. Time to catch up on all that homework I was supposed to do over break.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

That's right! Today is March 17th and what a lovely day it is! The weather is beginning to start to feel like spring and everyone in Wichita seems to be wearing their green. Most of my friends are in NYC celebrating. UGH! Jealous! But, hopefully I will go out this evening to one of my favorite Irish hangouts in Wichita, Emerson Biggins. There is also Kellys Irish Pub, O'Briens Pub and finally the Shamrock Lounge. Who can't resist going out in Wichita on Spring Break with this many irish pubs to choose from? See, if you all come to Wichita State and turn 21, you can be joining me on outtings to several, different and various bars with fun, friendly atmospheres. Well, I better get off my soapbox about coming to WSU and enjoy the rest of the day! Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Hope the luck of the Irish shines on all of you!

St. Louis

Hi everyone. So this past weekend, I kicked off my spring break by traveling to St. Louis, MO. I have passed St. Louis before but never got a chance to drive around in the city. It was exciting to finally see landmarks that St. Louis is known for. I got to see the Budweiser Brewery and toured where most of the beer is made for Budweiser. I also got to eat at several local restaurants that were definitely delicious. My friend, Candace Potter, whom I stayed with and went to high school with, showed me where she currently goes to school--St. Louis University (SLU). Finally, I got to see the St. Louis arch, one of the most famous architechtural structures in the nation. Overall, it was a great trip to St. Louis and an awesome auditioning learning experience at the MUNY. Well folks, I'm off to bed. I will let you know what my plans our for the rest of the week, inlcuding St. Patty's Day. NIGHT ALL!

Spring Break

Today is Friday but also marks the start of Spring Break! This evening I will hitting the road with one of my go friends from high school to travel to St. Louis Missouri to not only visit with her but to yet, again, audition for a summer stock theatre company. It will be nice to get a chance to catch up with her on this seven hour drive from Wichita to St. Louis and it will be a great chance to see where she lives and goes to school. She is a senior at St. Louis University and will graduate this May with a degree in Communication. Finally, I will return home on Sunday afternoon with a fellow music theatre major. So that is what is on my plate for right now for spring break. I will keep you posted on my plans coming up next week!

One day more!!

That's right! One day more guys until my slew of auditions begin! Like the song "One Day More" from Les Miserables, I have one day more until going into battle with several other talented people fighting for a job. It is absolutely crazy what peformers go through in order to get a job that probably pays a little more than a fulltime job at McDonald's. But why do we do it? We love performing! For me, its a chance for me to one hundred percent give total self-experssion through my art. Its a chance for my voice to be heard. And its a chance to be totally free and lost in the art. Well, that's enough of my speech for the day. Catch you later and wish me luck as I hit the road tomorrow!

2010 SAS Leadership Conference

Today, at the Marcus Welcome Center on campus, Student Ambassador Society hosted the 2010 Leadership Conference. This conference was a chance for many high school students to get a greater understanding of their leardership skills as well as learning effective ways to apply those skills in high school and beyond. The conference hosted several high schools in the city. The students had a wonderful opportunity to interact with both WSU faculty and students and get a T-Shirt and lunch. This year's theme was a Las Vegas theme. But I think the best part of this conference was a chance to mingle with prospective WSU students and get an insight of what qualities they think a leader should possess and through this discussion, I learned what ways I could change my own approach to leardership. Overall, the conference was a success and I heard several Student Amabassador Society students buzzing about how wonderful it was to hang with potential WSU students and with their own friends.

March 1st

WOW! Today is the first day of March! Can you believe it? We are gaining rapid speed towards the midterms of the semester and feels like we barely started the 2010 Spring Semester. A lot has happened since the start of the semester and a lot is happening, now that we are approaching the finish line. My mom got into a wreck and I am planning a trip to New York. Also, my brother and his wife moved into a new house. Things in life seem to be on the constant go and there is never a dull moment, though at times, you wish there was one. So friends, as we look towards April, keep me in your thoughts for safe travels to two cities for auditions and also to New York. Also, be sure to come see Urinetown in APRIL!! Bye for now!

Is it Spring Break, yet?

No. Its not spring break yet, but it is rapidly coming up. So far, the only plans I have is to visit with friends here in Wichita and also in St. Louis. While in St. Louis, I will be auditioning for a theatre company down there. And before spring break starts, rehearsals begin for the spring musical Urinetown. If you don't know much about this show, check out the videos that I have posted on my blog. Everyone should make an effort to come see the show. It is April 15-18 at WSU. It will be a chance to see WSU musical theatre majors in action. Hope to see you there! But until then, we have to wait for Spring Break to come!! TATA!

Scene Study

I'm in a class called Musical Theatre Scene Study. What this class basically entails is selecting four different scenes from four different genres of musical theatre and then presenting them to the class by acting them out. All scenes must have dialogue and song, and one scene has to have a dance break number. For all the scenes, we are required to do both a text analysis and a character analysis of the dialouge from the show. We just finished our first round of scenes on Wednesday, so this Friday, we have to pick new scenes. The reason why I am blogging about this particular class is because it makes me realize how much I love my major. Its a chance to cast yourself into scenes and pretend to be a working actor, working on roles that you could potentially play in the real world. Everyday, WSU makes me realize that I am a part of the performing business. And I am glad that they are making me realize that.

Auditions

I have four auditions coming up next weekend for music theatre summer stock companies. I am very excited to audition and finally feel prepared. When I was younger and didn't have any technique under my belt, I had no idea what I was doing when it came to performing. But, with the help of my WSU professors, I am finally finding myself again through performing and able to confidently feel prepared when I walk into an audition. My voice teacher, as you may remember, is a fabulous instructor. Her knowledge of how to sing is remarkable! And I can now sing better than ever before. I will keep you posted on how the auditons go! Wish me luck! Especially you, Cassie Keefer.

The Inner Game of Tennis

My voice teacher at WSU is the most kind, caring, and considerate woman I have ever met. And she is a fantastic voice teacher. I have never sung so well in my life than I have on Wednesdays in her studio. It is such a treat to go into her classroom and work one on one with someone who truly cares about advancing you and making you become a solid performer and singer. Today, in our voice lesson, we had another one of our heart-to-heart chats. It basically was about how I need to set aside personal baggage and let go of the inner me in order to express the outer me when performing. She later 'prescribed' me a good book as a pick me up in self-confidence, an issue I have been struggling with and an issue that most performers and anyone struggles with. The book is called The Inner Game of Tennis. It uses the game of tennis and relates to your inner well-being and how it can affect your game of tennis and your game in life. I look forward to reading the book later on this evening. I have read the first chapter and already feel more centered and stable in life. The reason why I wanted to blog about this particular subject is that I am not quite sure you would recieve this kind of treatment from a professor at another university. This is truly a remarkable woman and someone who takes the time to help you and look out for you, always keeping in mind your best interests. She is definitely another hidden gem at WSU and someone I will truly never forget.

Let's Go Shox!

I went to the Shocker basketball game last night and we won! With this win, we are ranked 2nd in the Missouri Valley! Hopefully we can win the Missouri Valley Conference. Now, I don't know too much about sports, but I do know when I see a good team and a great head coach. Both of these exist on our campus! Greg Marshall does a fantastic job leading the our Men's Basketball team by getting them exicted to play well and work hard. His enthusiasm also generates out into the stands where the Shocker fans sit in support of his endeavors. Hope some of you can make it out to a Shocker basteball game sometime. The excitement in Charles Koch Arena will surely electrify your Shocker Spirit! Let's Go Shox!

Homecoming Parade: Too Legit to Quit!

This year, the Alumni Association brought Homecoming back after a disappearance for 20 years at Wichita State. And what a fun time it was! The Homecoming festivities included an hour long parade of floats from various campus orginizations, a bonfire, cookout, pep rally, and a special appearance by M.C. Hammer himself. It was appropriate that he 'M.C.'-ed the event for the theme was Too Legit to Quit, a title of one of Hammer's late 90s songs. Overall, it was a fun event that had a definite traditional atmosphere. The final festivities will take place tomorrow at the WSU men's basketball game in which the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced. Keep your fingers crossed for the two people who I voted for. : P

Valentine's Day Weekend

This weekend is Valentine's Day weekend and what better way to spend it with that special 'something'--HOMEWORK. Oh yes, the life of a college student can be somewhat of a drag, especially when you have a lot of homework to do. However, in the grand scheme of things, I probably don't need an extra relationship on my shoulders, although at times, it would be nice. No, for now, I need to focus on school and get through it and graduate. I think that is most important right now--SCHOOL. So, this weekend, I will have homework to keep me company. Despite my studies bogging me down, I will still have fun this evening. Tonight, will be my Valentine's date as I spend it with several SAS members watching a movie at the Marcus Welcome Center on campus. We will hang out and relax tonight, before reality sets in that we have a lot of homework to do this weekend. School. So good to me and an awesome, special 'something.' I am glad we are having dinner together on Saturday.

Fine Arts Luncheon

Today, we had the scholarship luncheon for students who had been awarded a Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarship, including the School of Performing Arts. It was a fabulous luncheon, with greater attendance than last year's. The whole banquet hall was filled with Fine Arts faculty, students and donors to the colleges. At my table, I was surrounded by several musical theatre majors as well as my own Professor, Linda Starkey, and Mickey Armstrong, a donor who has graciously awarded me a scholarship in her name. The room was energized by the artists and it was just a wonderful, nice luncheon to be reconginized for the hard work that we do and the support from wonderful donors who have made it possible for us to study our art. But most of all, it was nice to be surrounded by people who knew the potential that Wichita State has to offer students. Today, made me realize even more how proud I am to be a Shocker.

Wal-Mart

I went to Wal-Mart today and it was an absolute mess. The parking lot was dangerous trying to find a parking place, while people darted in and out, like the Frogger game. Parents were not holding onto their children's hands while crossing the street. Inside, the shoppers frantically walked up and down the aisles and grabbed products that most probably didn't even need. At the checkout, the attendants took forever checking people out of the store which added even more of a delay to my schedule for running errands. And several shoppers were loud, cranky, and unfriendly. So, attention Wal-Mart shoppers, what is the deal? Have we become such an instant gratification society that we have thrown the morals of self-discipline and politeness out the window? Sounds like we need a clean-up on Aisle Attitude! That was my sociological thought for the day. : )

Catch Up Weekend

Hi gang! This weekend I have a lot to do in the way of homework, but still, I will be doing other social activites as a break from catching up on school work. Tonight, I am going to my cousin's music concert at Friend's University. It will a great chance for me to hear him play for the first time while secretly comparing WSU's music school to theirs. : P I will also have to read a chapter in my stagecraft textbook and in my acting textbook. Despite contrary beliefs, fine arts students still have to read like other majors. Finally, I have to get my audition material together for auditions next month. I am planning on auditioning for four different theatre companies. Two in Oklahoma, one in Wichita, and one in Missouri. Hopefully, I will get at least one. What I will need to do to prepare for these auditions is select and copy music appropriate for the shows, put together an apporpriate outfit, and also plan travel routes and living situations while visiting the cities. As you can tell, it wil be a very busy weekend, on top of running errands and all that other life stuff.

Time will Tell

I think life is so funny to me. Some days you feel you are headed the right direction. Other days you feel like you are not. I know of some adults to this day, graduated from college and did nothing with their degree. They went a completely alternate route or just decided to be stay at home parents. But do those who decided to stay at home with their kids feel useful to the world? Do they leave their legacy everyday keeping house? Throughout this journey that we called life, is it ever truly possible to figure out where we belong in the existence of mankind. Will we always be in pursuit of a career where we absolutely feel one hundred percent useful, where everything that we do is all self-inflicted. I am unsure.....Only time will tell for my degree. I have asked around some of my friends, and they too question their field of choice. I guess, one can only know for sure after graduation or really never for sure. Oh well, time WILL tell. That is my philosophy lesson for the day.

Snow, Snow.........Snow

Wichita! I am tired of this blasted snow. My car can't get anywhere quickly without sliding on sidestreets and taking its time to warm up. Plus, I look ridiculous trying to walk in it and maneuver my way to class. I almost fell on the concrete just the other day trying to get to my car and now, I hear we are suppose to have another snowfall tomorrow in February!! Are you kidding me? Snow is for the winter.....not for the month of LOVE!! For the LOVE of Valentine......Please no more snow, mother nature!!

That is all.

Food for Thought.......

Howdy! After reading Anjana's blog (check out the links on the right side to take you to her blog), I am considering becoming Vegan. Today, I checked out the natural foods store, Food for Thought, at Central and Hillside. I have never been in a whole foods store before and thought that I would give it a shot, being the health crazed person that I am. I had some typical, pre-conceived ideas before going into the store. Thoughts like, "I bet most of this stuff will taste like you know what," but surprisingly, those thoughts quickly went away upon entering the clean grocery area at the back of the store. The grocery area is divided up approximately by five aisles. There is all kinds of foods!! Pizza, honey, desserts (yes....made gluten-free) and the list goes on and on. And it seemed like several shoppers were getting all there dietary needs at the store, rather than going grocery shopping at Dillion's. The cool thing too was that there were savory samples to try like squash soup and bread slices. My favorite area was the trail mix area and spice area. I was able to sack up a bag of trail mix to snack on at work and at school. And the mix was even called "Student Trail Mix" for those students on the go. I couldn't resist. I also got some whole grain, brown rice cakes. YUMMY! I will put peanut butter on these for a fast, healthy, low-carb snack. So, if you get a chance Wichitans and future Shockers, check out Food For Thought. It is my new one stop shop for healthy snack foods.....

Mead's Corner

I am all about supporting local businesses over corporate, franchises. Recently, I found this neat hole-in-the-wall coffehouse called Mead's Corner located downtown on Douglas. This place is so unique and has a great, relaxing environment despite the layout being surprisingly huge. The entire coffehouse has wood floors and brick siding with eloquent windows and homey art fixtures. Comfy couches line up the entrance to the store next to a fully equipped coffe and gelato bar. Their products of sweet treats and warm caffeine taste delicious! And as you are waiting for your cup of joe to be made, you can find a cozy spot on the couch and read thousands of books and magazines on end tables and bookshelves. They even have coloring books and a tub full of kiddie toys and board games. Oh, and I failed to mention that they frequently have live music. I went last week with my friends to check out the place after a nice, relaxing dinner at Sabor. The band that was playing that evening had an eclectic sound that was very soothing. I enjoyed my time at Mead's so much, that I will be sure to hit up the place again sometime in the near future, especially since they kindly gave me a card to be punched each time I purchase a cup of coffee. The eleventh cup of coffe is free! For more information, check out http://www.meadscorner.com/ or visit them in person. I promise you that it will be a fun and relaxing conclusion to your evening with friends, family, or even that special someone.

Just Dance..........it'll be okay.....

I have noticed that a lot of my blogs have song titles. Well, today is no different. The song Just Dance by Lady Gaga was played in my dance class today. As I was struggling with repeating some of the dance moves and contemplating, "Why am I hear?" I began to realize that through the struggles of learning how to dance, I had noticed my own improvement from previous semesters. And as we repeated the moves over and over, I then realized I am actually a musical theatre major and soon, I will be graduating and be expected to perform these tough dance combinations at auditions. Well, with the start of this semester, things have been getting easier in my classes, thanks to awesome professors piling on countless enthusiasm for the arts and exceptional technique that provides fundamental growth as a performer. Everyday, I am astounded at the professionalism that the WSU teachers exhibit and everyday, I get one step closer to graduating and realizing that I am actually going to be a musical theatre performer and nail auditions through my professors' support of me and my fellow peers. SO.....this semester.....I will just dance and remind myself that it will be ok.....Until next time.

Spring into ACTION!!

So, fellow bloggers, readers, and friends, the Spring Semester has finally begun! Yahoo! Despite my class load of 18 credit hours, I think it should be a smooth sailing semester. With each passing day, it seems easier to easier to handle the demands of school, work, family, extracurricular and non-curricular activities. I say that now but my opinion could surely change come March, when I enter rehearsals for the Spring musical. Last night, we had our first Student Ambassador Society meeting of the year with all the new officers. Thankfully, everything seemed to run well and the members were excited to see fresh faces on the executive council. As we all spring into action this coming semester, let us not forget that spring can also have a connotative meaning of a fresh new start! Best of luck again to everyone in 2010 with school, work, and well, all the responsibilities and demands that are on your shoulders. Until next time.........................

Disappear-A, Reappear-A!! Hocus Pocus and all that Jazz.......

Tomorrow, my mom wants me to come and perform some magic tricks for her Kindergarten students. This is an annual thing that I do for her. I think I started doing it around freshman year of high school. To be honest, I don't really like to do it very much anymore. I'm starting to get old to be doing magic tricks and the kids get a little bit rowdy and excited. But, I do it because of two reasons: I love my momma and I do like the kid's astounding reaction to the magic tricks. I swear, some of them think you are a miracle worker after performing magic tricks for them. I remember being a kid when I used to buy into everything an adult said to me and always was in wonder and amazement at the world. Those little five-year olds really do think you are a magician after you finish performing. I guess that is the fun of doing it, now that I am an adult. Its a chance to give kids a little hope and laughter in the world and a bit of imagination before they too, get old like me and discover the hocus pocus of the real world. So, tomorrow at 10 a.m., I get to re-live that childhood innoncence secretly through their eyes. Abracadabra!

Less than a week away...............Spring Semester 2010 starts

Hi fellow bloggers!

We have less than a week before school starts. Classes begin on Tuesday Jan. 19th, the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day! I am both excited and depressed for school to start. Having this nice month long break has been relaxing and stress free. I made a list of what to accomplish over break and surprisingly, got everything done on my list except for finishing a book that I have been reading for a semester now. Whoops......oh well. I guess I really do live by that old motto, "Work hard, play smart." This spring semester I will continue to live by the motto as I roll into an eighteen hour semester! It is going to be absolutely nuts. I hope I can keep everything together......Till next time bloggers.........

PEACE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! (Or should I say..........spring semester of classes??! Eh? EH?)

Brotherhood Week

This week marks brotherhood week for the gentlemen of Sigma Phi Epsilon, KS Eta. What this entails is that some of our undergrad members will be officially initiated into the fraternity. It is such a fun and neat experience to see these young men go through several, secretive rituals in order to become Balanced Men, striving to excel in the areas of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love. And the reaction, after they are initiated, is the most rewarding experience to witness, because then they are truly apart of the Brotherhood for Life. So, I ask you fellow bloggers, to keep our brothers in your thoughts as they embark on their journey to a deeper understanding of the fraternal bonds of brotherhood and that they will recognize, once initated, that brotherhood never ends after college....for we, as a nation, are always a brotherhood of man. And if any of you are looking to come to WSU, I strongly encourage you to Go GREEK!!

Happy New Year

Auld Lang Syne EVERYONE! 2010 is here and in full force. And what better way to start off the New Year with a mini-vacation. This past weekend, I visited Kansas City to see a friend and we had the most wonderful time. We went to TWO fancy restaurants and three bars. We also went to Kemper Museum and viewed mind-boggling works of art that were truly amazing. But the best part of the trip was getting out to meet new people and smiling faces. I came to the immediate conclusion that I need to get out more in Wichita! Thus, it hit me immediately what my New Year's resolution should be: To experience other things besides just performing all the time and going to school. Yes, those things are important since it is a future career, but I need to relax more and to get out more and see what this world has to offer! So, starting now, if I need to get out of the house or take a break and need an escape, I am going to get in my car and go to the mall or downtown areas and look at art and the world around me and soak in the beauty that is life......HAPPY 2010!!