Destination: Adventure!

Adventurous Theatre Happenings

Winter was upon us, and Vangie and I took the rainy day to do some grocery shopping. Somewhere along the peanut butter aisle, I receive a phone call:  J hurt her knee. We're not sure of the situation right now, but you're on call for the 2:30 performance. My heart races as I collect Vangie and get her in the car, explaining the situation and also rehearsing the lines in my head. I could not believe my luck! I was scheduled to go on next week doing another track, so this one wasn't as fresh in my head. I review my blocking, rewatch choreography videos, and I receive a phone call: it's time to go to the theatre. I clutch my notecards in one hand and steering wheel in the other, as I drive to Glen Echo.

The cast and crew amazingly incorporate me into the routine, explaining where I'd need to go, important beats in the staging and running through my costume changes. In a very short time frame, I'm on stage singing the first few lines of Frosty the Snowman, having already thrown a couple of snowballs and executed my quick change.

Following the invigorating run of Frosty the Snowman, I immediately continue with Adventure Theatre, doing Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as understudying their subsequent show, Judy Moody and the Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt. Yes, they are both mouthfuls. What's interesting is that Alexander taught me that theatre could indeed be second-nature. For most productions I've done (especially when understudying), the adrenaline is almost too much to handle. When I performed as the main actor for a two-month run, I realised just how comfortable I was getting with the role and my routine. I'd walk Claire in the mornings, drive directly to the theatre, and come home to teach (sometimes via an audition or two, as it was audition season)! It was a lovely exploration of how vibrant a theatre person's life can be when everything is thriving. I'm also just chuffed with my friendships from this experience. You know who you are <3.

Coaching Alexander on how to deal with getting the wrong color sneakers.... What a spoiled brat.

Judy Moody was a walk in the park, or so I thought. I had no scheduled performances, covering two tracks (rather than the three in Frosty). Little did I know, I'd be getting an evening phone call within the first week of opening, asking if I could cover for Mom! This was before we had any understudy rehearsals, but I bit the bullet and went on. Again, I had a very supportive cast and crew to guide me through, and I am forever grateful to Adventure Theatre for giving me yet another exhilarating experience. Within that run (in which I didn't expect to get any stage time), I went on three different times, performing both tracks I learned. I sang with my guitalele, I sword-fought, and I even swung on a rope on set. What an experience!

Perhaps I have projected to the universe that children's theatre is my kind of theatre. Adventure also invited me to workshop two pieces: Tinker Bell (playing now, adapted by local author, Patrick Flynn) and Blueberries for Sal (which is playing at Adventure this autumn)! These five opportunities developed my ownership of the craft, but also opened my eyes to other theatres in the area. Through my connections at Adventure, I've had subsequent auditions at Olney Theatre, Keegan, and Constellation! It's been a thrill to know I'm a budding artist in the DC community, and that I'm building the groundworks for a steady career here.

Balance

This feat is nearly impossible for a theatre-maker like me. Trying to balance performances with auditions is one thing, but also managing many private clients (dogs and students) has been a challenge. I'm getting better though. I'm finding more time to get to dance classes regularly, to attend the shows I know I could be cast in, to meet new people and garner a solid sense of my capacities and talents. 

As I was performing at Adventure, I attended many an audition in the DC area. I had the opportunity to audition at Imagination Stage, and after a series of four meetings, I got cast in Cinderella, directed by the notable Kate Bryer! I couldn't be more pleased. Kate won "Outstanding Director in a Musical" in the Helen Hayes Awards this past spring, and I've enjoyed every minute I get to share creative space with her. 

With Judy Moody finishing in June and Cinderella scheduled to begin rehearsals in October, I approached the summer with uncertainty. Should I keep my schedule open to accommodate last-minute theatre bookings? Should I get a summer gig to maintain my income? Should I take the time to hone in on dance and theatre lessons? Turns out, I can do all of the above. One Friday afternoon in June, I receive an email from Imagination Stage, asking if I was available for their early childhood show, beginning rehearsals the next week! I was in ecstasy as I received the offer over the phone. The show not only performed at the reputable Imagination Stage, I also had the extreme pleasure of honing this movement-heavy show with a supportive team of women: Meg (director), Kate (stage manager), Sara (dance captain) and of course my stage partner, Giselle. It's been such a lovely time, and we constantly discover and share new moments. This weekend is our final weekend; if you're reading this and haven't shown up yet, what are you waiting for? This show is developed for 1-5yos, but the physical comedy in it is so universal. I love this show.

From that time my fam came to Paper Dreams at IStage

I think I've successfully talked your ear off, so I'll withhold the information on my new side-hustle, but *hint hint* it is a challenge like I've never known before, investigating my attraction to textiles. I'll share more in a future blog post. I promise.

Charley and Griffin and Me, just because.