Live in Living Color

Picture from Panama

2011-04-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here's the Facebook Photo Album from my Panama trip...the pictures aren't wanting to load. If you're reading this you're probably my friend on facebook, and If not, just send me a comment. :)

Enjoy!

Panama

2011-04-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys! Sorry its been a while since I updated, but I've just been really busy. I will do my best to stay on track!

So I went to Panama!! From Feb. 24th to March 8th. It was brilliant! Such a great experience! My dad and I spent Thursday to Monday in Panama City. We visited the sights in the cities, my areas in Cerro Batea, Las Lajas, Cativa, and Chorrera. It was really great to see old friends again, and to be able to introduce them to Dad. Some highlights include riding bikes on the Causeway, going to the Canal and the Temple, Portobelo fort, visiting Casco Viejo, el Valle de Anton, and the beach. And of course, seeing friends, going to church in chorrera, and just being in the city!

We then headed on a plane to Bocas Del Toro. It was pouring rain when we arrived, but luckily we had some good weather for snorkeling, swimming, and hanging on the beach. Highlights of that included seeing dolphins in front of our hotel, snorkeling and relaxing on the Zapatilla 2 Island, relaxing and being pampered, and meeting some wonderful people at our hotel, the Dolphin Bay Hideaway.

After 3 days in Bocas, we took a bus into David, where we were able to visit Boquete (and go 4x4ing), and most importantly visit Concecion, one of my favorite areas. Our Sunday there was very memorable, and I really really had a great time.

I know this update on Panama was so quick, but I'd be more than delighted to give more details...Just ask! I'll post some pictures too!

San Fran LOVE!!!

2011-02-17T16:07:00.000-08:00

I got to spend this last weekend with some WONDERFUl friends! Max, Ashley, and Leslie came out from Utah to visit and play in San Francisco, and of course, see our wonderfully talented friend Preston Sadlier in Next to Normal! It was a blast! We played all day in the city, had a fun dinner, and Preson was AWESOME in his show! Here's a video from the adventures we had!

San Fran Love

Utah!

2011-02-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to visit Utah for a weekend, and it was a BLAST! I visited my old stomping grounds of Provo the last weekend of January. I got to see LOADS of wonderful friends, and see some AMAZING shows!

I got to see the wonderfully talented Brownyn Tarboton as Peter Pan twice, I got to see my dear friend Cameron Asay in The Foriegner, and my wonderful friends in Contemporary Dance Theater perform Dance In Concert!

I also had the opportunity to teach the dance class at the Callbacks for the Music Dance Theater major auditions. So much fun! Thanks to all those who helped!

I'd also like to thank those who lent me their beds and their couches, namely Mike Hansen, Darick Pead, and Kasi French! Love you guys!

I also had the great opportunity to see Nikki Bohne as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde!!! On my way home from Utah I stopped in Reno and spent the night with Nikki! She was FABULOUS! I saw her a second time that week with my family in Redding, CA. She really is a star, and if you have the chance to see the tour, SEE IT! She rocks!

Well, sorry this post was so fast, I'm out of time. Let me know if you want to see any of Peter Pan. ;)

Pictures from NYC!!

2011-01-22T23:45:00.001-08:00

Rockefeller Center! You can't tell from the picture, but there was ZERO visibility, meaning, we didn't get to go to the top... :(

Yup...I saw those shows... :)

How many times do you get to see Times Square like this?

Me Post-Snow Storm

Shayla Post-Snow Storm

Late night snack! Shayla, Matthew, and Me!

Kelly and I staying warm in the Mariott Lobby, waiting for N2N to start.

Late night snack with BYU friends!

At the ice rink at the Rockefeller Center!

Radio City!!

Pictures from Chicago!

2011-01-22T23:05:00.000-08:00

Chicago Skyline!

Me in front of the Bean!!!

Beau and I ice skating in Millennium Park!

Me in front of "A Sunday Afternoon..." by Georges Seurat. Wow!!

Beau and I ad Ed Debevics!!

The Chicago Theater!!!

Shantal, Derek, and I outide of Portillos!! YUMMY!

I don't know...there was a bull...so I hopped on...

Hey! A stone from the Miraflores Locks in PANAMA!!!

Looking down from the top of Sears Tower!

NYC!!! (part 2)

2011-01-22T20:10:00.001-08:00

Monday was fun! I decided to audition for Mary Poppins! So I grabbed my headshot and resume, my tap shoes, some dance clothes, and headed down to the Equity Dancer call at the Pearl Studios. I was pretty early, so I was high on the Non-Equity list. I ran into Alexis Smith, who totally calmed my nerves! After a LONG wait, I was finally called in to audition with a group of mostly Equity guys and just a few non-equity guys. The audition was a blast and the dance really wasn't too hard! But, as we started learning, it dawned on me...everybody in the room was buff, beautiful, and all were AMAZING dancers. I had never been to a dance call like it! I suddenly felt very small, and I got a little psyched out! So when it was finally my turn to dance (i was in the second to last group...), I kinda blanked on a few small steps...which led to me being cut. But, hey, it was a great experience! I learned a lot from that audition...things that I can't really put into words....but I think it's important for us MDT'ers to go to a major Broadway audition before we graduate, just so we can better prepare!

After my audition, I walked around Times Square a bit, and then I saw The Fantasticks! It was just perfect! So simple, yet so beautiful! Definitely one of the highlights of the trip! It was so great to see musical theater in its purest form! No spectacle, no huge effects, just actors, simple scenery, GORGEOUS music, and beautiful story! And GREAT story-telling! That night Shayla and Cy got into town, and Shayla stayed at Kara's too! It was SO fun to see her and have us all three together again!!

On Tuesday, I spent most of the day with Shayla. I did some laundry in the morning at the Laundromat...felt like a real new yorker...haha...then I met up with Shayla. We did some walking around, worked on her upcoming callback (I hope you get it suckah....), then we got us some balcony tickets for La Cage, played tourist, had dinner, then we made our way to the show. We saw La Cage Aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge and Robin De Jesus!!! It was just SO SO Good!!! I loved it! Douglas Hodge was Perfection...such a fabulous actor! Robin de Jesus was SO stinkin' funny, and just brilliant. Kelsey Grammer was good! A bit flat at times, but a great job tackling the role! The Cagelles...wow...I have no words! They're dancing, singing, acting...perfect! They were just So good! I wanted to give a standing ovation after their numbers because they were just that good. The entire revival and cast was just outstanding. After the show we headed uptown in the storm to meet Cy, Matthew, Courtney, and Jeff for a little late night snack at the Manhattan Cafe. It was fun to visit, and catch up! But by the time Shayla and I got back home, we were covered in SNOW! We were pretty funny lookin!

On Wednesday, I met up with Abby and some of her friends from school to have lunch! It so good to see her! I miss her badly...sad you couldn't be there Dave!! After lunch, I met up with Matthew to try and see Time Stands Still...but since Luara Linney was out of the show for the matinee, we decided to try The Importance of Being Earnest. We were about to buy our student tickets, when the lady next to us offered us her extra tickets...her friends coulnd't show. up. Not only did she give us her tickets for FREE, but they were in the second row of the mezzanine! At the first intermission though, we moved to the second row center of the orchestra! The show was so good! The acting and direction were great! The costumes and sets gorgeous! And the Lady Bracknel...So great! After the show, I had some dinner Hailey Jones Smith and Shayla at a Thai place on 9th. It was delicious and So fun to see Hailey and catch up!

After dinner, I saw...SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK! Let's just say it was a hott tranny mess. haha. The Book was HORRIBLE, the plot CONFUSING, the music was BORING...but the dancing was cool and energetic, the sets and the visuals were BEAUTIFUL and INNOVATIVE, and the flying was pretty darn cool...stuff you've never seen onstage before! It was just too bad that such creativity was wasted on a horrid story. STORY FIRST my friends! haha. And thus ends my rant on Spiderman.

The next day, my flight was delayed, so I went to a dance class with Shayla (Don't even worry that our teacher was a dancer in Fosse on Broadway...she's on the DVD). Then I headed to the airport. I got there a little later than planned, and couldn't board my flight. So I ended up catching a later flight. But since visibility was so low was so low and we were low on gas, so we had to BACK to Reno....ugh. Needless to day I didn't get home til 4 am.

Overall, I LOVED NYC and I can't wait to finally move there next year! Thanks to those who let me stay with them and made my trip possible!

NYC!!! (part 1)

2011-01-22T19:48:00.000-08:00

So, continuing with my AWESOME vacation to Chicago and NYC.

So on Friday Morning, I said bye to Beau...(sad)...and snagged a taxi to the airport. Where I found out my flight was delayed by an hour. That put in me in NYC later than I wanted. So when we landed, I rushed to get my bag, rode the air train and the A train up to Kelly's Apartment on West 93rd! It was SO good to see her! But realizing it was now past 7:30, I knew I had to rush down to Times Square if I wanted to see a show. So I got to the TKTS booth and ended up buying a last minute ticket to see "Driving Miss Daisy", starring none other than Vanessa Regrave, James Earl Jones, and Boyd Gaines! It was SO good and so endearing. It was really neat to see such legends up on stage...just a few rows from me! After the show I caught up with my friend Hailey (we served in the MTC together)! I visited her apartment, went back to Kelly's to sleep, and the next morning Hailey and I went to breakfast together!

After breakfast, Kelly had to meet with the missionaries, so I went down to Steps to take a dance class. I took a Modern Dance Horton Technique Class. Crazy! Needless to say my hammies and my sides were SO sore! After class Kelly and I hit the town! Unfortunately it started snowing, which impeded out plans to go to the Top of the Rock. Boo. :( But we walked around, went to Colony Music Center, had dinner (we were served by a beautiful boy...yes...i said beautiful...owing to his PERFECT makeup!) then we went and saw Next To Normal!! Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely were brilliant...Kyle Dean...ahhhh...there are no words...haha. But we really went to see it because my friend Paul Staroba was the associate conductor of the show, and was conducting his last night of the show! So we supported him. After the show he took us to his apartment on Roosevelt Island, and we talked and ate and laughed til the wee hours of the morning. Kelly and I had a long, but nice subway ride back home where we finally crashed.

The next day was Sunday. That meant getting up early to get in line at 9 am for a student ticket to see the final performance of A Little Night Music with Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. Mind you...the Box office didn't open til noon. And it was FREEZING! But luckily the 5 people in front of me were very nice, we all made friends, and we held our spots for each other while one by one we warmed up in the nearby hotel lobby. Luckily I got a ticket, third row on the side! Brilliant! after I got my ticket I went to church and ended up in Jeff and Courtney Pew's Ward! It was great to see them! The show started at three, so I skipped out a bit early. It was breathtaking. Just brilliant! So perfect! The energy in that room when the stars entered was electric! And at the curtain call, none other than Mr. Stephen Sondheim himself came onstage! right by me!!! AH!!! It was awesome! After the show, I had dinner and visited with Courtney and Jeff in their apartment, then packed my things, and headed to Kara's house! It was fun to stay up and chat and catch up!

And that's it for for now! Part Two to Come!!!

Let the Adventures begin!! Chicaco!

2011-01-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

And the great adventures of 2011 have begun! Let's begin with Chicago!

So I left San Francisco for Chicago on January 4th. It was a lovely Tuesday morning in San Fran, clear, crisp, and the Golden Gate Bridge was a lovely sight indeed. It was the opposite when I got into Chicago! It was FREEZING! The rumors are true folks...Chicago in the winter is bitter, bitter cold. Beau picked me up at the airport, we went to dinner at Ed Debevicks, which was SO much fun! The waiters there are purposefully rude to you. We were peeing our pants it was so funny! And our waitress, Flo, was just the best. That night I was so tired from travelling, we just snuggled up to a few movies, starting with Easy A, which was fabulous, and ending with The Strangers, which scared the living bejeezes out of me! Then it was bedtime, hoping that no masked people came in and killed us!

Wednesday was a really fun day! We got up, drove into the city, and just explored and had fun! We started off by walking around Chicago's beautiful theater district! Its just fabulous! I really love all the architecture, the people, the city, the parks...its just a cleaner, smaller, friendlier version of NYC. We tried to get lotto tickets for Wicked, since Beau had never seen it...we lost. So then we had some deep dish Chicago PIZZA at Giordanos, which was delicious and headed to the Art Institute of Chicago. WOW! It was such a cool museum with some AMAZING artwork from Monet, Van Gogh, and of course, the crown jewel, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island La Grande Jatte by George Seurat. Yah. I saw it. Live. In living color. I almost cried! It truly was breathtaking! I never realized the scope, detail, color, and passion that the painting encapsulates until i saw it live and up close. Wow. Mr. Seurat...you were a genius.

After the art institute we went to Millennium park, walked around, saw the Faces, the big Bean, and then we went Ice Skating! That was a blast! After Skating, we tried for the Wicked lotto one last time, but didn't win. Again. So instead we headed over to a section of town called Boystown (hehe) and we went to dinner with one of Beau's friends at a wonderful little Italian place called Soccas. After that we went home and collapsed from our fun day of adventure!

My last day in Chicago was fun! Beau had to work, so took the morning to sleep in, figure out the train system, and get myself to Downtown to explore. Well, I cut it kinda close, and my cab driver didn't know where the station was, so I missed the train, by seconds! And the next one didn't come for two hours! So there I was stuck in the middle of the mid west. Luckily Beau came and picked me up and lent me his car to go to the city with, and he went back to work. When I got in the city, I took a bus tour of the city. I was the only one on the tour. Chicago is such a beautiful and wonderful city. It was fun to see the sights and where Oprah lives. haha After that I went up the Sears Tower, and WOW! That was beautiful. And i walked out into a glass box that hung over the ledge. Crazy. After that I met up with Shantal from Dancers' Company and her hubby, and we walked up the magnificent mile, including the Chicago Sun Times building with rocks from all over the world, and dinner with Chicago dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.

The next day was time to leave. I was kinda sad to leave, but really excited for NYC. I love you BEAU! Thanks so much for hosting me and I really hope I get to see you soon!!!

Pictures to come soon!!

December

2010-12-30T01:46:00.001-08:00

A quick update! I survived the semester! YAY! And passed pretty well with my classes! Finals kicked my trash! I was definitely in the Library WAY too much. I also moved out of my apartment, but haven't been able to sell my contract yet, so if you know anyone who needs one, let me know!

The weather was really bad over Tahoe and I-80 coming home, so I had to drive home through Vegas. The snow from Provo to St. George was HORRIBLE. Almost just as bad as the blizzard I wrecked my car in driving down to St. George. All in all it took 16 hours to get home. It was a horrid drive. The week before Christmas was spent shopping, shopping, and more shopping! I ended up getting a lot of new clothes for me too, since I haven't really done some major shopping since before my mission.

Christmas was nice. We spent it at home in our PJ's all day. We haven't done that in a really long time, so that was nice. Right now we're in Eureka. We brought Nanny home. And we'll be coming home Friday. Next week I head to NYC and my adventures of 2011 will BEGIN! I also will be starting to work out...and I mean MAJOR workout with a trainer next year before my cruise. So I will be blogging about that too.

In other fun news, I just got an email from Panama. It was a scanned hand-written letter from Hermana Melida. She's a sweet little lady from Panama. She lives in Colon, my third area on the mission. She's extremely physically disabled, but that doesn't stop her from teaching, knitting, and living a full life. She's amazing. And receiving a letter from her saying how much she loves me and remembers me, even though I only served in that Area for one transfer is the BEST Christmas present I could get.

Happy New Year To ALL! Stay tuned for the adventures of 2011.

Tis the Season....

2010-12-09T01:04:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Christmas things is the Nutcracker! I LOVE the music, I love the story, and I LOVE to watch a good dance performance of it! However, my new favorite version is not your classic Nutcracker, nor is it even Ballet.

Its Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! Oh. My. Cow. Its SO good!

I wish I could take a few years of my life, seriously train only in dance, be hired by Matthew Bourne to dance for his company New Adventures, and be in his performances, like the Nutcracker. He's also created an all dance version of Edward Scissorhands, The Picture of Dorian Grey, and MORE! I'm kinda obsessed with him!

If you haven't seen his version of The Nutcracker, please do yourself the favor and do so! Its on DVD! Here's a trailer for it!

New Directions!

2010-12-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed (or maybe you did...), I changed the title of my blog! And if you haven't read it for a while, I have a new template too! Why might I do all this you might ask? Well, let me answer...

The year 2011 is going to be a year full of new experiences, travels, and adventures galore! So I'm making sure you all can follow me on my adventures throughout the year. I'll be posting regularly (hopefully weekly if not more). Now I know what you all are thinking..."How many times has he said that he'll post on a regular business and he never does?"

Don't worry, this time, I'm serious!

Please comment, read, and share whatever you want with me. I'll hopefully be posting insights I'll be learning (personal, spiritual, etc.) and I would love to do the same!

This year will be including a year off of school, NYC, Chicago, Panama, Alaska, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Caribbean, a cruise ship, Tonga, and much MUCH more! So see if you can keep up with me! Cause I'm going to be living my life LIVE and in LIVING COLOR! Life wasn't meant to be lived in Black and White. So without further adieu, HERE WE GO!

Update

2010-11-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

So, I've been UBER busy this month. October really flew by. And as such, I have not had time to come on here and update my blog.

I guess the first item of news is that I decided to take the cruise. I will be sailing on the mrs. Westerdam from May through December. Come visit me! As such, I'll be taking the next semester off and living at home for a while. That should be nice.

Drowsy Chaperone is still playing and its a BLAST! Don't miss it! I still haven't gone on for the Man in the Chair, but maybe one day...and maybe never. But nonetheless I love the cast, I love the show, and its so much fun.

This week/month have been killer in school. Assignments, midterms, my show, rehearsals, etc. have been eating away at me. I feel like I'm either in a class, at my show, or in the Library. I don't really have much free time right now. I guess that can be a good thing. I just need this week to be over. :)

Besides that, I'm alive, and I'm here, and I'm just keepin' on keepin' on. I'd love any support you can give me...text, email, fb, comments on here. If anyone even reads this. HAHA

Bittersweet.

2010-10-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

That is how I'm kinda feeling about life right now. "Life," as the Drowsy Chaperone says, "Is a MAD whirlwind." And I feel like this phrase is very much true for my life right now. So much has been happening in the last month in a half with my personal life, my acting life, my school life, and my family life. I feel like I can't quite keep up with it.

I'm kinda having one of those "I hate my life/I LOVE my life" days. I feel so overwhelmed with schoolwork, performances, a cruise ship contract offer, and various personal issues. And yet at the same time, I am loving my life and I feel so blessed! I'm talented, I'm smart (sometimes), I go to college, I got a contract offer to perform on a cruise ship, I have food every day, a car, a loving family, etc.

So I guess the point of all this is to just say that, like my blog title says, I'm ALIVE! I'm HERE! I'm living a FULL spectrum of things in my life. And I'm trying to be grateful for all that life is dishing to me right now.

Decision Time

2010-10-13T15:08:00.001-07:00

So, I got an email last night from the casting director at Stiletto Entertainment. I auditioned for them back in February and was put on their hiring list. They have now offered me a contract to perform on the Holland America liner the ms Westerdam from March to December. I don't know what to do. I'd love your opinions as a comment, email, or on FB.

PROS:

1. Money: I could make about $21,000 from this experience, and maybe walk away with about $19,000. That means when I move to NYC, I'll have about $24,000 to have at my disposal.

2. Get out of Utah and BYU for a while! I love it and all, but a break would be nice. Part of that would be spent at home in Cali for December through March when I leave. So that means family time and possibly performing in "Assassins" at the 6th Street Playhouse. Plus saving money on living expenses.

3. I could do my three remaining GE's during this time online, meaning that when I finally do come back to BYU for my final semester, I won't have to worry about them. I could simply focus on my MDT classes and do Showcase!

4. The Boat goes through the Caribbean, PANAMA (my mission), and Alaska! Nice!

5. Be one year older and wiser (and buffer!) before I jump into the NYC world of theater.

CONS:

1. Staying active with church. How do you do that on a cruise ship? I'm still trying to find out how often we port and how often and for how long we're off the ship for. If we port on a Sunday, I could easily find a church. And on any other day, I could try for a temple trip, like in Panama! But there's definitely the church issue.

2. I wouldn't graduate this year. I would graduate next year (2012). Will that really affect me? (NYC will always be there...I'd rather cruise now and then go to NYC rather than do Senior Showcase and then leave NYC to do a cruise...looks bad.)

3. A Cruise Ship show...not totally productive to learning more about my future career in the theater, but still, its a job.

Thoughts people? I'd love your opinions! Thanks!

Busy Busy

2010-10-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend was CRAZY! We had rehearsals all weekend. Friday night went pretty smoothly, but Saturday was ALL day and Crazy! It all started with Delaney falling into one of the trap doors in the opening number of the first run. Luckily she literally jumped right into it doing choreography and Taylor was there to break her fall. He wasn't hurt and she only had to go get stitches in her shin. Besides that the runs went well and things are slowly coming together! And we open on TUESDAY! CRAZY!

I spent the weekend with Greg and Kasi for conference. It was a lovely Sunday. I loved going to the afternoon session and sharing rice krispy treats with them and listening to the wonderful and inspiring messages from living Prophets and Apostles.

Now onto a crazy opening week!! And a Bio Midterm. ugh. not the week for this!

The Drowsy Chaperone!

2010-09-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

I can't Believe I haven't posted this yet! I'm in the Drowsy Chaperone at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City in SLC. :) Come see it! The show is going to rock! And honestly, the tickets are already selling out! So get your tickets now! I'm in the TThS cast! :)

To buy tickets online, click here or call 801-984-9000.

Here's a video of rehearsal!

COME SEE IT!

I'm Here

2010-09-28T01:40:00.000-07:00

So, its Monday night. I got done with rehearsal early, went and said bye to Matty, and then came home. Instead of doing homework or going to bed, what do I do? I watch a movie...naturally.

But not just any movie. I watched The Color Purple.

All I can say is WOW! What a powerful movie and a powerful story. I'd never seen it before. I saw the musical right off of my mission...but I didn't enjoy it very much for some reason...I think I would enjoy it more now that I know more about it and I've seen the movie.

I have no words. I was in tears. Such a great message about love and forgiveness and persevering. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend it!

So...I know I'm horrible at this but...

2010-09-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

I really should be updating this more often. I keep looking at my friend's blogs and I realize that this could be a good place to reflect and muse on things happening in my life.

So, Jackson ended. It was great. I miss my friends from there. I learned and went through a lot. Now I'm back in Provo at the B Y of U and its good to me so far. I've been in rehearsals for the Drowsy Chaperone all month, which opens on the 5th of October! You won't want to miss this show! The cast is fabulous and the show is so great! I hope you can all come see it! I'm in the TThS cast!

Besides that school is kicking my trash this year. Tons of school work and not enough time to do it. But I must graduate in April. That's the goal!

For now, that's all, because I need to go to bed, but I'll do my best to keep this updated.

Sometimes...

2010-07-18T21:51:00.001-07:00

You have good intentions. And they bite you in the butt.

Sometimes those good intentions hurt others.

Sometimes,

life can really bite.

Hope you've learned your lesson.

This Week....

2010-07-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

Well, Its been a week since my last post. What has happened. A lot!

First of all, we started our second week of Playtime at the Playhouse. Cody and I wrote a revue about the Jackson Hole Playhouse Glee Club. It was HILARIOUS! It had 9 songs in it too!! What were we thinking. But the show turned out pretty good Wednesday. A few dropped lines here and there, but for the most part the kids did a great job! And they learned a lot of new songs and good skills.

Cody and I with the kids!

The JHP Glee Club!

Last weekend I went to SLC for a quick trip with Ben and Sam. It was really fun! I stayed with Bradford. We spent most of Sunday sleeping, since I was SO tired from the drive. Then I did a bit of much needed shopping at the Gateway, had some sushi, and saw Alyssa, Dave, and Lauren in Hair at the Egyptian Theater in Park City. And boy did we see ALL of them! HA But the show was good. Hair isn't my favorite musical of all time, but their production was good. It was also good to be there for Bradford, listen to him when he needed to talk, and just be with him. Poor guy. He has a lot on his shoulders trying to raise two beautiful children alone since his wife Heather passed in May of Brain Cancer. He has to be so strong for them and for others in the family. I love just listening to him talk about her, and being strong for him so that he can have his moments to grieve a little. Hopefully he'll make it up for 4th of July weekend with Carson.

Now its a new week and we are working on Hairspray with our kids. We have 9 this week! And so far so good! Marin came to the show tonight and said we were doing just great! She had a few small notes, but nothing we had to have rehearsal for. And Ben's family is in town too. My fam is coming soon.

In other news, I just found out that my cat Midnight, who we've had for over 16 years is pretty ill and probably on her last leg. :( She will be missed.

ARRRRRRR!!!

2010-06-25T12:03:00.001-07:00

So Wednesday was our first performance of the 2010 season of Playtime at the Playhouse. The kids performed "The Pirates of the Snake River". And it was a SMASH HIT SUCCESS!!! The kids were fabulous!

Here's some photos!

This week we're working on an original script including songs from 13, My Favorite Year, Grey Gardens, Wicked, and Promises, Promises. :) Should be fun.

Besides that things are going great here in Jackson. The show gets better and better, Cody is a dream to work with, and the weather is finally beautiful.

Til next time matey's! AAAARRRRRRR!!

PROMISES PROMISES!!!

2010-06-22T14:54:00.001-07:00

So, I bought the Promises Promises soundtrack last night on my iPod touch. I couldn't wait. HAHA I Loved the show on Broadway. And I love Burt Bacharach music. So there you go. :)

I highly recommend seeing it or getting the soundtrack. Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes did wonderfully.

Now, its time to find an eye-patch for our kid's show tomorrow. They have worked all week on "The Pirates of the Snake River". Its absolutely hilarious. And I even wrote us an overture!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Let's Get this going again!

2010-06-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

So, this is in honor of Analeece. At dinner today we talked about how last year in Jackson she would always read my blog at the Box office...So here we go again, so that she can have something to do while she's working. :)

A Quick update. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a major success! SO MUCH FUN! After we closed, I went home to Cali and saw Audra McDonald perform with the SF Symphony. It took my breath away. She is absolutely amazing. After about a week at home, dad and I went to NYC for a week to see Kelly go through the temple. While there we saw Addams Family with Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuworth, A Little Night Music with Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Next to Normal, and Promises Promises with Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes. It was a fabulous trip.

Now I'm in Jackson Hole again for the summer performing at the Playhouse in Annie Get Your Gun. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't too excited to come back again, but I'm really happy I'm here. I know that this is where I need to be. The show is awesome and our cast rocks. I'm teaching the musical theater workshops again, and this time around working with Cody Walker is a dream. Night and day from last year. :) I also teach Sunday School at the single's ward, which is turning out to be a wonderful little gig.

Well, that's all for now. Annie, I hope you enjoy. Check back later for more.

One Day....

2010-03-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

I hope to perform on Broadway.

I hope to be a dad.

I hope to find someone who is just as interested in me as I am in them.

I hope to be a better singer/dancer/actor.

I hope to be loved.

I hope to be a fabulous cook.

I hope to not have to worry about money.

I hope to be a good friend

I hope to be there again.

Just Another Day

2010-03-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

So last week was much more relaxing than I ever expected it to be. It was so nice not to have a rehearsal or a performance every night of the week. I got see Fiddler on the Roof at the West Valley Hale. The production itself wasn't like blow your mind amazing, but it was good. And of course the Jewish blood in me flowed and made me cry like ten times...HAHA

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was a technical mess on Friday night. So many tech problems, but it was SO funny because we just ad-libbed our way through them. Then after the show Friday night I took a spontaneous trip down to St. George to visit some friends. It was so fun! And I drove back on saturday afternoon to be able to do my show that night. Needless to say I'm kinda tired from this weekend. But it was SO worth it.

I can't wait for this weekend.

MDT SHOWCASE!!!!

2010-02-27T23:01:00.001-08:00

So, I had a great weekend! It started Thursday, when Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opened! We had a great opening night, and it was fun to have my parents there! I think its one of the first opening nights they've ever been to! So yay for them!

Then Friday and Saturday nights the lovely BYU MDT majors and I performed a FABULOUS showcase! It was so much fun! And we Rocked! I had solos in the opener (Don't Stop Believin') and the closer (Love Heals). I also was featured in a song called "I Will be Me" with the lovely and talented Bronwyn and Megan, was Bert in "Step In Time", and was one of six singers in "Glimpse of the Weave". Overall, the 2010 MDT showcase was a success!!!

Now onto a not so restful day of rest. :)

Clumsy

2010-02-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

So, honestly, I can be the most CLUMSY person sometimes....So we're in rehearsal for Dancers' Company yesterday and I was going off stage, and ran into the light tree. Mind you, the light tree is a metal post about 9 feet tall, and it has at least 5 stage lights attached to it...so it probably weighs a total of about 50 lbs.

Now that we've set that up, lets just say i ran into the light tree with my face and moved the light tree about 8 inches out of place. OUCH! So I have a nice goose egg on my forehead. It hurts.

Besides that, I've just been getting ready for the MDT SHOWCASE! Make sure to come see it! Its this Friday and Saturday night at 7 and 9 pm. Also, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS opens today. :) Wish us luck!

And mom and dad are in town and are taking me to lunch!!

Another great preview

2010-02-23T23:07:00.000-08:00

So tonight we had a GREAT preview! The audience was super, the cast was rocking, and everything was just grand. :)

First Preview!!

2010-02-22T23:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight was my first preview as Andre with an audience for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! It went really really well! I'm so happy to be in this show. Its a blast really. :)

Make sure to see it before it closes! You won't regret it!

A New Week

2010-02-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

I must say, I love sleeping in. I spent most of the day yesterday just resting...which was much needed and today (though I probably shouldn't have) I slept in. Sleep is very valuable! Especially before a crazy week!

A few things happening this week. First of all, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels opens at the Hale Center Theater! Here's go here to buy tickets! The cast is wonderful and I love working with them. I perform Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

Second, this week is the MDT showcase! Its going to be great. I have a few solos, so check it out! That is Friday and Saturday night 7 and 9 pm in the Madsen Recital Hall. You can get tickets at the HFAC box office or online here!!

Plus I have my final scene to present for my advanced acting class...needless to say...I am going to die by the end of the week. So come see me in those things! It may be your last chance to see me alive!!!

Here We Go Again

2010-02-21T13:30:00.001-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I posted. I have decided that I really do need to keep up on my blog. Its good for me to just kinda review things from the day, its a form of a journal for me, and a place where I can just write what I feel.

So here's a little catch up time.

First of all, Children of Eden was fabulous! We had a great run, and I really feel like I grew a lot during that process. I also went on a tour with the Dancers' Company for ten days in October to Wyoming and Montana. We saw a lot of miracles and had a great time! Last semester KICKED MY BUTT! But I came out of it alive and learning the lesson to NEVER take 18.5 credits ever again.

This semester has been eventful so far as well. The Dancers' Company performed our Dance in Concert the last weekend of January in the DeJong Concert Hall. It was SO great and got a wonderful response. I was cast in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Hale Center Theater in Orem as Andre, and we open this week! I also attended the YA Alumni weekend and had a great time. Besides that, I've just been doing the school thing. My semester load is much easier, and I'm very grateful for that.

Coming up this week as well is the MDT showcase on Friday and Saturday! Come see it!

Besides that, my life has gone through a lot of changes, some for the worse, some for the better. Mostly for the better. Trials come and trials go, but I have just come to realize what is really important for me in my life. And that is what I'm striving to achieve.

Well, here we go again folks! I hope I can keep up with this thing as much as possible.

REMEMBER! LOVE LIFE AND SIEZE THE MOMENT!!!!

Livin' the LIfe

2009-10-15T09:25:00.001-07:00

So this semester is kicking my butt...but hey...that's what school's for right? Since my last post there hasn't been anything super new. Children of Eden is coming along very nicely. And so is Dancers' Company. We leave on our ten day tour on Friday! I am so stoked! I need a break from BYU. School that is...I LOVE being back here in provo though. :)

This is a video of the Dancers' Company performing at the dance devo! Pics to come soon!

Enjoy!

Won't forget, can't regret...

2009-09-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

So, I just watched the film "Every Little Step" about the casting of the broadway revival of "A Chorus Line"...can I just say BRILLIANT! It was so powerful and moving, and I am so glad to be in the profession I am in. Now I just need to graduate so I can get out there.

I'm back at BYU now...trying to stay caught up with school and rehearsals, etc. I guess I'm losing weight again...so people have said...that is what modern dance will to do you. School's going pretty well so far. I am LOVING Dancers' Company. Everyone is so great and they have all been really supportive of me coming so late into the company. I wanted to show them my love for them, and so for World of Dance (which I unfortunately was not a part of), I attended every rehearsal and show with my pom poms I bought from the bookstore, cheering them on. They loved it, and I had a blast doing it (though I did get some funny looks...lol).

Children of Eden is also going swimmingly. Pat asked Brittany and I to be the dance captains, which is a great opportunity as well. The dancing is fun, our cast is SO talented, and I am loving the experience more and more.

Besides that, I am just trying to live life to the fullest, make new friends, try not to be a hermit, etc. haha But that is hard sometimes. Its Saturday night and ya know, I just stayed home by myself, ate some food, watched the game (GO BYU!), took a nap, and watched a movie. It was nice. But lonely too. I guess I would have much rather been with some other people, but that's ok. I'll survive.

Anyways, I just love life, even thought right now its not the easiest; it's definitely rewarding though. I'm learning so much and living.

And the fun continues...

2009-09-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

I"M BACK AT THE B Y OF U!!!! YAY!!!! I love being back so much. I got back from Jackson last Sunday and it has been such a whirlwind since then. Our last week in Jackson was a mixture of a lot of crap and a lot of fun. Its like eating junk food: so fun, yet you know its bad for you. haha We had to rehearse all day during the week with our replacements (we weren't paid for those rehearsals ps) and then have he energy to do the show and shoot out. And those weren't so bad, except that some of the replacements didn't have the greatest attitude, and there were some people with bad attitudes or trying to boss everyone around. No fun.

However, the shows were some of the most fun shows we did in Jackson. We also may or may not have had a minor war between the pink ladies and the t-birds...everything from stink bombs, to nasty smelling cologne, from stealing light bulbs or clothes from the dressing rooms, to Popcorn butter and WWJD signs. It was so fun! Overall, my summer in Jackson was super hard and crappy...and yet at the same time, so fun and fulfilling. I definitely learned a lot, both from good and bad experiences, and to be honest, I miss living amongst one of the most beautiful spots in the world...the TETONS!

Now I am back to reality, at BYU. So far, Children of Eden rehearsals have been way fun, and the members of the Dancers' Company are so supportive. I unfortunately am not in World of Dance, however, I am at all the tech the rehearsals with my pom poms cheering them on (literally).

And I just got called as an FHE dad. Great. I think God is trying to teach me something.

Grateful

2009-09-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

I am SO Grateful for life right now! I had a Great time in Provo this weekend...seeing friends and reconnecting with them was great! I am SO excited for my classes. I am SO grateful to be in Children of Eden and Dancers' Company with so many WONDERFUL people. I am grateful for my family.

I'm moving on.

Thank you. :)

Just Some Thoughts...

2009-08-20T01:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't it interesting how the smallest thing can set off such a strong emotional reaction in us? A scent, a picture, a message, a word, a song. Our mind and our hearts are wonderful things, but also fickle at times.

I miss what I had, and I wish I could have it again. But I also have a vision of what I truly need and what should lie ahead in my future. A goal, if you will. But blast that one little picture, that message, or that song that send your heart and your mind off track of what you really want. Its always so hard to stay on the road to your goal. But hey, you can either throw in the towel, or use it to wipe off your sweat. You just have to keep on keepin' on, even if it means breaking your own heart sometimes. In the end, your goal is worth it.

And what is that goal? Happiness. Pure, simple, celestial happiness.

No one ever achieved that without a little hurt first.

This Video is AMAZING!

2009-08-17T22:46:00.001-07:00

We are SO funny...ENJOY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVBMBGJCy-s

I miss you.

2009-08-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

A lot.

All I'm sayin' is...

2009-08-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

I am gettin really bad at updating this thing. Sorry. I guess I have just been really busy and not on my comuputer as much. Which I guess is a good thing too.

A few things. This last week our girls did a wonderful musical revue written by Taylor and I called Backstage: The Musical. It was a great success! They all did so well! We had a blast with them and they were stars! This week is our last week of workshops (Thank goodness!). We have 10 little girls all under the age of 12. They are so cute. We are going to perform sleeping beauty at the end of the week.

This is also Meg's last shows with us. I am jealous that she gets to leave and go do DC. Wish I had said something. I would be MORE than happy to jet out of here and start rehearsals. Meg's replacement for Cha Cha is HILARIOUS...she is the real cha cha...like the grungy cafateria lady type girl that Cha Cha is supposed to be great. It will be different but good.

Tonight's show was funny. In the Beauty School Dropout reprise, I yank Frenchie into a dip right away...well...I yanked her...and we kept dipping, and down we went together! HAHA so I am like ON TOP of her singing to her....it was pretty funny. We just played it off...but it may or may not have looked like her Teen Angel was trying to rape her. HAHA

Well folks, that's all for now. More soon!

Its been a week or so...

2009-08-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

So, my run as Danny Zuko ended last Wednesday. It was a blast. Especially the last little bit where I really felt more free to interpret the character in the way that felt much more comfortable to me. It was SO much fun, and there is the possibility that I will be Danny Zuko again at the end of the run for a week or so.

Other than that, things have just been busy as usual. Our HSM kids group did well. This week we have 8 girls, and Taylor and I wrote them a revue set in the girl's dressing room of a musical. Its pretty funny, and we are doing some really fun songs in the show.

This weekend was quite interesting. It was really amazing, in both the good and the bad ways. It was really fun, because really fun people came up to see us! Cory, Micheal, Brittany, Micheal's cousin, and Gray came up, among others. We had a lot of fun being tourists around town, sliding down the alpine slide, horseback riding, and LOTS of eating. The not so fun part included certain people drinking in my house, not letting me sleep, and trying to take advantage of me. NO FUN. But that's all I'll say about that. But OVERALL...it was a great weekend. It was really good to have friends here to see me. I was planing on going to Provo for the weekend, but that didn't work out. Maybe in a week or so.

Dancers' Company rehearsals started today. Wish I was there. I might one day. We'll see.

Thank Goodness

2009-08-01T00:13:00.001-07:00

So, I am so grateful right now for a few things.

One, Steve Badgett. He plays Vince Fontaine, and tonight was his last night with us. He is such a brilliant actor, and I feel so grateful to have had the privilege of sharing the stage with him. He is such a great example to me...not only on stage, but in his personal life. I'm going to miss him and his family dearly.

Second, I am grateful for Randy Boothe! He came and saw the show this weekend, and he gave me some notes to help me improve my character as Danny. And thanks goodness for those notes. All of the notes he gave me were things that I have wanted to incorporate into my character, but I haven't been able to because the Director wanted something different, and my Sandy was still used to how the other Danny did things. Well, thankfully Randy talked to both of them about what we thought should change, and they were willing to take a chance on me tonight. I am so grateful they did, because I felt like tonight's show was amazing! For the first time as Danny, I felt like I could just BE Danny and not have to walk pins and needles around certain people hoping that I didn't do something on stage that they wouldn't like. Let's just say I almost cried last night when I got those notes; it was SO nice to have someone agree with me!

And lastly, I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful for my body, for my talents, for my friends, family, and loved ones. I know there are still times I wish that God would have granted my prayers and allowed me to die on the mission so that I could just finish there and do a greater work, but I know my life has a purpose and a plan. And though sometimes I lose track of that, I know that if I just do what I know is right, I will be happy!

Seize the Moment!

2009-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

That was the phrase of today..."Seize the Moment"!!! Granted, it was used in context of our show...and really seizing the moments that we are on stage...which btw, really helped my performance tonight...but it got me thinking...

We really need to seize every moment of our lives and live them to the fullest. Yeah, we get tired...yeah, we get bruised...yeah, trials await us, but I don't wanna look back on my life an have regrets, or realize that I missed amazing opportunities to live and to grow.

So I challenge you now, whoever you are, reading this...Seize every moment in your life...and live it to the fullest! I know I am going to try to! :)

Me singing the National Anthem at the Rodeo!

2009-07-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

Here you go! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9APxRs2a9UA

Pics from Grease

2009-07-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from intermission yesterday...love the hair...right?!?! HAHA

Me and Mallory...our WONDERFUL Pattie Simcox

Me and Meg...she's my Cha Cha and also my coworker for Playtime

The beautiful Savannah (Rizzo) and I

The incomperable Ben Medina (Sonny)

Yup. It takes me like 20-30 minutes to do my hair...

Hope you enjoyed!

Oh Dear!

2009-07-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

So, today has been a day of "Oh Dear's". First of all, our kids in the workshop this week...well...let's just say they have A LOT of energy. :) Then, tonight for the show, I was fifteen minutes late to call, because I didn't wake up from my nap! Then I got some notes before the show and they kinda threw me off the whole show, and it just wasn't my best. :(

THEN...this is great...in the first act, during the park scene, I have a little confrontation with Sandy where she gets mad and storms off, and I am left to awkwardly approach everyone onstage who witnessed it and play it off cool. So normally, we have bout 5 seconds of awkward silence before I play it off and say, "Wierd Chick!" But instead, we had about three seconds of awkward silence, and the music for "We Go Together" came on. Well, we thought the sound guy would fix his mistake and just stop the track...so we stood there VERY awkwardly for the first stanza of the intro. Well, he didn't turn it off...so I yelled out "WIERD CHICK" over the music to everyone could react to it...and then we did the number! OH MY AWKWARD!!! HAHAHAHA We could not believe it was actually happening. We were all laughing so hard in disbelief for the first two verses til about the bridge. So we skipped about the last 5 minutes of Act I and just did that song. HAHA

Then I just got a message from one of the mom's who put their child into the workshop. Well, she thinks that the workshop is a little bit too much for him (he's turning 7 soon...so she took a chance putting him in). So that leaves us (after having already lost about 3 of the kids orginally enrolled for the week) a whopping total of........*drumroll*......THREE KIDS!! Yup. Three girls...2 nine year-olds and one 11 year-old. So now I have to not do Treasure Island, and I am concocting some sort of Little Girls of Broadway review. OH DEAR!

Wish me luck....

Today was the Day...

2009-07-23T00:58:00.001-07:00

WOW!! Today was definitely a day from...well...not from a good place to say the least! It started out just being a really long day. We put up our kid's workshop version of A Chorus Line today. It actually turned out pretty well. But getting it to that point was a bit...well...stressful would be an understatement. I ended up having to do some revisions to the script and songs an hour before the show. That was not fun. Also, the dollar store lied to us and said they had top hats...they didn't. So we had to scrounge what hats the theater had...including a few cowboy hats! haha Those were just a few of the stresses of that show. But overall the kids did a great job and it turned out well.

Meg and I with the Kids

The kids from A Chorus Line

Then we started our new week or workshops...Treasure Island. We orginally had like 7 kids signed up, which is an ok amount, but now we are down for four randomly :( No fun. And it seems like it is going to take them a while to learn things, 'cause they're a bit younger. But hopefully that turns out. I just editing our script for that...it was too long with too many characters. So I made it work.

Then I finally got to take a short nap, then I did the shoot out and the show. It just made for a long day. Not to mention that for some reason, people think that they can be rude and walk all over everyone and treat them like crap. I don't know...there were just many instances all day where things didn't happen as planned, and Meg and I were YELLED at for them. There was no polite talking to, no solution finding...just yelling. It was really annoying.

And I miss my friends. I feel so disconnected and distant from them. And I hate how it feels. I feel like I've lost them. So if you're reading this, please...let's not lose our friendship, k?

Snow King

2009-07-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

So, I wasn't liking myself or my life. So I decided to change some things. I made some good goals, and so far so good. One of my goals is to work out after the kid's workshop. So today, I hiked Snow King mountain, and got a great bagel sandwich at Pearl Street Bagel. So here are some pics!

That is the Snow King Mountain!!!!

The fields were full of very pretty wildflowers!

The view from the top!

Jackson's Hole from the top

Yup...I did it with my shirt off...I'm not the modest little

boy I used to be mom...HAHA

So yes. A fun day. After snow mountain, I floated down a somewhat lazy river in an innertube. The creek runs next to our apartments. I went with Meg and Bronwyn and some of the kids from the single's ward. It was way fun. BUT (pun intended) I hit my butt on a rock...and I cut it pretty bad...I would upload a pic of it...but its my butt. HAHA

Yay for Sunday

2009-07-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

I love Sunday's. They are just really great opportunities to reflect, meditate, and start over. I am also very grateful for understanding friends who are always there to support me. You know who you are. So thanks! And ps...the music to the youth broadcast A Brand New Year that the Church put out a while back is amazing. So inspirational. If you ever need a pick me up, that is the music to listen to!

Oh, and by the way, I am now officially addicted Alias. HAHAHA I finished season one, and I loved it. And now I am going to start season two. If you didn't watch it when it was on TV, I really recommend that you start watching it online. NOW!

In other news, things have been just weird around here. like vibe and energy wise. I feel like the entire world is against me. Maybe I'm just being self-absorbed or oversensitive, but that is how I have felt recently. But I have also been trying to focus on others, and just loving them. The show we are doing with our kids this week has really inspired me to focus on others and love them. The message of the song What I Did For Love has really impacted how I am trying to live my life right now. If you don't know the show or the song, I highly recommend that you get familiar with it. :)

So, this is really getting...

2009-07-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate it when you have a job, and your coworker does half as much as you do, and they get paid the same? That is kinda how I am feeling. I feel like she never prepares, etc. I spend at least three nights a week staying up til 4 am or taking my afternoons to prepare scripts, music, or curriculum for our week, and all I expect is that she does SOMETHING in her own time to prepare...

Like for example, this week we are working on A Chorus Line in our kid's workshop. Because Meg is in charge of dance, I leave her free reign and I try to give her a lot of dances to do so that she feels like she is doing something. But it is frustrating because she doesn't take time to research the show she is choreographing. Instead, she just uses YouTube videos of the originals and copies the dances. The worst part though, is that she doesn't even take the time before had to become familiar with the dances...she watches them and teaches them ON THE SPOT! It is SO unprofessional.

Anyways, just needed to vent that.

Life is fun

2009-07-17T00:35:00.000-07:00

So, things are going well here in Jackson! I have been playing Danny now for about a week...It is going pretty well! I feel much more relaxed into the role. Jason Celaya (international pop star sensation...HAHA), our choreographer, came back to watch the show and he was very pleased with what I was doing! He gave me some great notes that I have since implemented and things seem to be going well.

This last week was really hard though. There was too much drama happening behind the scenes...and I feel so disconnected sometime from everyone, from my family, and God. So I have made the goal to get over myself and reconnect with those things.

Our kids show last week went well. I didn't much like the script and score to Sleeping Beauty (the show we performed), but the kids liked it and they did well. This week we started A Chorus Line...and it is SO fun! I LOVE that show! Absolutely AMAZING! It really inspired me today...it got me thinking about how lucky I am to have my body, to have the talents I have, and how I need to do everything in my life out of LOVE. That is the answer folks. Love.

Anywho, life is sure fun sometimes, but you just have to keep on keepin' on. ps...check this out...it is pretty neat! http://the26project.org

Alias...

2009-07-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

So, I started watching Alias the other day...from season 1 and now I am hooked. HAHA At least it gives me something to keep my mind occupied with.

So, today is Monday. I did the whole kids workshop this morning by myself. It actually went much better than I thought. But my voice is really tired. I tried to use good technique as I projected, but alas, it still made my voice a little tired. And tonight, the Single's Ward is coming to see our show for FHE! And Jason Celaya, our Choreographer, is also coming tonight. So I want to be good! Ugh....wish me luck.

Besides that, things are going well here. There has been A LOT of drama here. It just stinks. It wares on you as time goes on. And it just got back from a weekend trip to Utah. HAHA

SO much better!

2009-07-10T22:02:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to update ya'll...tonight was SO much better than last night. I really feel like i am relaxing into the role. So yeah, that's all. :)

So...Danny Zuko's Gay...? Wait, WHAT?!?!

2009-07-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

So, its been two days now of me being Danny. Last night was Fabulous! It went really really well, and I felt like I gave my all. Overall, it was a great show. The cast was super supportive and the audience was really receptive.

But tonight was a little bit rough. Overall the show was ok...but I just wasn't connected very well to the part. I felt like the Hand Jive dance went really well, and so did Alone at the Drive In Movie, but the end of the show was a DISASTER. First of all, during You're the One That I Want, during my verse I accidently sang, "You'd better shape up! Cause I need a man...." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Oops! So evidently Sandy wasn't the only one who had a "coming out" during the show. HAHA And then I went down the stairs too fast and ended up tripping Sandy...overall, no fun.

It will just get better I hope. I'm kinda down right now about that and some other things...so I think I am just going to go to bed and never wake up... :)

Ugh.

2009-07-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

This process is so hard. But so worth it I guess in the long run. I am just getting so frustrated. I need more patience with myself. And I definitely need to stop hating myself right now...haha

Summer Lovin'

2009-07-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

Well...here it is folks. I start playing Danny Zuko in Grease at the Jackson Hole Playhouse starting Wednesday. I had my FIRST rehearsal for it tonight. Act One. It went relatively well. I really really REALLY need to work on being more grounded and "cool", and some other minor things. The hardest part for me is NOT to look like a dancer. So this will be a great learning experience for me.

The other hard thing for me is that I feel like the Director wants me to be Brock. And I am not Brock. I feel like the Danny that I am going to play is different from Brock's interpretation. But alas, she is the director, and I must take the direction and make the connection. So wish me luck!

Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

So today was fun. We were in the Jackson Hole parade. We all got in our costumes (me in my Teen Angel costume, a white tux :) ) And we rode in vintage Cadillac cars (that picture is of the car I rode in, except we had the top down!)! So much fun. We also had our music there, so as we got into town we were all out of the cars dancing in the streets! The people LOVED us! It was definitely fun. PS....Dick Cheney like lives here...so he was at the parade...random.

Then we had a shortened kids workshop...once again, my coworker was NOT prepared..so I ended up stepping in and finishing some of the choreography. :( Then I took a short nap and we had an early show. It went really well I felt. After the show we all changed, and watched the fireworks from the roof of the playhouse! It was so beautiful to see the mountains light up with the fireworks. Definitely nice. Then we cranked up the jukebox and had a sock-hop in the lobby of the theater with good ol' fried chicken, ribs, shredded BBQ pork sandwiches, potato salad, and of course red velvet cake!

So, overall, a great fourth of July. I wish I could have spent it with friends but oh well. What can ya do?

Why do I do this to myself?

2009-07-04T00:02:00.001-07:00

I am being so Negative Nancy today. I think it might be a combo of many things, including the fact that I have gone to bed at 5 am the last two days, frustration with coworkers (see last post), people being disrespectful, especially when its directed toward me, my sunburn, the family reunion I am missing, and the fact that I have no friends here and all my friends are having a great time together in Provo, among other things.

I hate feeling like this. Something needs to change. And it has to be me. What I am going to change...I don't know. But whatever it is, I need to figure it out, and fast.

C'mon now!

2009-07-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, really? This is really getting...

Two nights in a row, I bust my butt til 5 am to be prepared for this. I have slept a total of 6 hours in the last 60 hours of my life because I have been pulling the weight of this. I give up my afternoons to do more publicity.

And YOU have the AUDACITY to come in today UNPREPARED when you have known what you needed to get done, and you blame it on the video that wouldn't load? Honestly. Really?

PULL YOUR WEIGHT!

Rant done. :)

Sunny Days...

2009-07-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

So, lucky for Meg and I, we actually got three more kids signed up for our theater workshop this week...making 6 kids!! We are also going to have some of our cast mates participate so that we can fill the roles and give the kids the opportunity to work with "professional" actors. It should work out great!

We also got to sit down with our boss and get all the info we needed out of her. We got tons of names, places, things to do, and even a radio interview and newspaper ads out of her to help us advertise for our workshops to bring more people in! It just feels good to have some direction in our efforts now.

I got to sit out on the roof of the Playhouse today for about an hour and a half....just basking in the sun and beauty of jackson. I may or may not have gotten a bit red...HAHA but that usually turns to tan in a day or so...I LOVE MY SKIN!

So, things are looking up! Thank goodness I'm alive!

This is really getting...

2009-06-30T13:56:00.001-07:00

So, I have decided to stop complaining out loud to people because it gets really old after a while. And instead I can vent on my blog! haha And people will actually WANT to read about it.

So first, a quick update. I finished my semester at BYU and got really good grades! Unfortunately I also got mono and had to withdraw from a few classes. But luckily I got better in time for Young Ambassador Tour. YA tour was AMAZING! I got to spend four wonderful weeks in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland performing, serving, and sightseeing. It was an unforgettable experience! If you want to see some photos feel free to go onto my facebook page and check them out! Scandinavia is SO beautiful! The people are beautiful and very friendly! Surprisingly enough most of the people there speak English...so the Language barrier wasn't very prevalent. Also, we were so high north (at one point only 200 km from the Arctic Circle!) that it was ALWAYS light! Like we would get out of shows and it would just be light outside, as if it were four in the afternoon. So wierd. HAHA But overall I came closer to the Saviour as I testified of him in firesides and represented him and BYU in those four wonderful countries.

NOW....I am in Jackson Hole, WY performing in Grease at the Jackson Hole Playhouse! Its a fun show! Come See It! www.jhplahouse.com for more info. Anyways, the show itself is great...but it is the organization and management that have been driving me BONKERS! Don't get me wrong...i LOVE everyone here...but things just need to run differently if they want to become better and really "Aim for the Heart" as the motto says this year.

The main thing I a frustrated with right now is that I run the Summer Musical Theater workshops for kids. Coming into this experience I thought that it would be like other workshops I have worked for...the Theater advertises and gets people to come and I do the work during the workshop. Little did I know that I would be singlehandedly be handling ALL the aspects of the workshops...recruiting, advertising, etc. It is NUTS! First of all...I FEEL that that the price is WAY too much...I feel like I could get MUCH more participants at a lower price and make more money than have a few participants and make less money. Second, this is my FIRST time doing ANYTHING like this...I have NO idea what I am doing and neither the theater or those who have done it in the past seem to help me AT ALL! I know no one here...so I have no idea how to network or get around the word of mouth (which is the ONLY suggestion I have gotten from the theater of how to advertise). I don't think I have a budget to advertise, and if I do, I have NO idea how much it is...though I doubt it is anything substantial. So here I am in my living room. I have called this list that they did give me off the top of their heads of people who have participated in the past TWO TIMES now...nothing. And our second week of workshops starts tomorrow...I have THREE people signed up. I can't do Hairspray with three people...I can do a DAMN good workshop and teach them about music, dancing, and acting, but I can't Follow through with what I promised to do. And I feel like I have done ALL in my power to recruit. So, we leave it up to fate. I just talked to my co worker Meg, and we are going to express our concerns in a very professional and assertive way to our boss tomorrow and see what happens.

Wish us luck!

Until next time!

Yeah....

2009-02-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

So....once again I am going to attempt to update this blog somewhat normally....but alas...you know how it goes. Things have been busy. I have had a lot of shows lately with Young Ambassadors and we just finished the MDT showcase this weekend. It was a blast!

Besides that, I am just here alone on Valentines day. Not my first choice, but I guess a necessary one. It is hard, but its for the best. I will probably spend the day in my pajamas eating my feelings or something.

Its Been A While...

2008-10-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

So, I know that probably NOBODY is reading this anymore...oh well.

So, Music Man went great! It opened to Rave reviews, from what I heard everyone loved it! I had a blast working on the choreography and the music. After the first weekend I moved back out to Utah, and started rehearsals for Aida, which is now running at the Hale Center Theater through November 22. I play MWFS nights, so Come see it!

School is going well so far. I am pretty busy. Especially with my Jr. Seminar Project for MDT...i was assigned Pirates of Penzance...and cutting it to 30 minutes, starring in it, directing it, getting people to do it, etc., has not been the easiest. haha. I also am playing for everyone else's projects. Plus with YA's, I have NO time. In YA's i have the Footloose solo and i am the baritone in the Jersey Boys medley. Besides that i am just in the Dancer's Track numbers (Abba, Chorus Line, Wicked, Footloose, In the heights, etc.). our first show is at Homecoming Spectacular this week! Come and see it!

Besides all that i have been doing ok. I had a mission reunion this week, and general conference this weekend was Amazing. Well, til next time!

ps: here are some links for ticket info...

Aida (Hale Center Theater): www.haletheater.org

Music Man Review: www.forallevents.info/kedaradour/2008/08/music-man-at-6th-street-playhouse.html

An update...

2008-07-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

So...sorry for not updating as much as i should. I just have been so busy with everything.

So, I am still working for Clark. The month of June has been a bit slow for me, but overall I am doing fine. And my dad STILL won't buy pest control from me...even though our house is under constant attack from spiders, ants, etc. ha ha Anyways, we have finished Santa Rosa, Rhonert Park and now we are working in Petaluma. Now that rehearsals have started, I only can work part time during the day...and on fridays and saturdays.

Anyways, rehearsals for the Music Man have started and are going really well. We have a very talented cast and they are doing really well. I am the Music Director and the Choreographer. It is definitely harder than I thought, but I am doing ok! I am just having the time of my life.

I also started teaching dance at the Musical Theater workshop for the theater on monday. I am SOOOOOO exhausted from doing that AND work AND rehearsals, but i am surviving. I have about 46 kids in the group and they are all doing really well.

Besides those things, I almost died choking on pizza as i made fun of my dad for taking a huge bite...yeah...lame...ask me about it...it was pretty darn funny. that is what you get for speaking ill of the Lords anointed! HA HA

Oh, we also went and saw Hairspray in San Francisco...my friend Taylor Frey was Link Larkin. He did really good...i took my friend molly from the American Mall to see it with me. we had a great time! oh...speaking of American Mall...it comes out on MTV on August 11th. so watch out for it!

well, i will try to keep this updated better in the future! til later!

randoms

2008-06-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well...it sure has been a while huh? ha ha

Since the last post i have just been working my BUTTOX off like crazy and earning some good money. so I am happy about that. in the last three weeks of working i have made over $3000 and i am going strong. this last week was a bit slow for me, but oh well.

We had fun with Cody and Emily...he is CRAZY!! and everyone was just asking if they were dating...ha ha...no one really knows...still. But yeah.

What else has happened...really...not much just because i am working everyday all day. i went to the beach and took some awesome photos of me dancing...you can view them in my facebook albums...i Got awarded a $1000 scholarship from the School of Music for doing absolutely nothing...i really don't know how of why i got the scholarship...but oh well. i'm not complaining! I ahve also been called as a Gospel Doctrine and Gospel Essentials teacher and of course the Ward Organist. Both callings are going well so far.

tonight kelly is coming out and we are gonna record a demo CD for her tomorrow. It shoud be fun.

well, that is all for now. sorry my life is so boring.

oh...here's some pics!

New Job

2008-05-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

So, I have a new job. Yes, I gave in and I am selling Pest Control with Clark. It is a good company and the pay is really good, but the job is hard. My first week I did pretty well. I made 9 sales...which is like $1350. so yeah..not too shabby, but this week has been much much harder. Anyways, I wanna do well, so be sure to send me motivational texts or jokes during the day to keep me going! ha ha

It is now memorial day weekend. I had callbacks this week for the Music Man, of which now I am most likely not only the choreographer, but the Music Director as well. They went really well, except for the fact that NO dancers from SR High came...so I hope to go there to get some dancers this week. Cody and Emily came out for the weekend from Utah, so yeah. We should have some fun!

well, til we blog again!

Toby the PT Cruiser

2008-05-06T23:37:00.000-07:00

So, I was doing the job hunt thing yesterday, right? Everything was going just fine and dandy, and then I got a craving for Cafe Rio. Well we don't have Cafe Rio in Cali...so i saw...Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, which wasn't as good, but definitely yummy!

I digress....

ANYWAYS....i get back into my car after eating and....NOTHING! My car had expired...my dear Toby had given up the Ghost!! I paniced...not really...i just called the parental units. Well, after a while of waiting, calling the tow truck and having dad FORCE my hood closed thus causing the rod holding it up to DENT my hood, the tow truck came and took dear Toby to the Dodge dealer, where he rested the night.

On the morrow (today), his dead battery was replaced and all is well. TOBY IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN!!! HALLELUJAH!!!! MERCY ME!!!!

the end.

Grades...

2008-05-03T00:20:00.000-07:00

Phew....

So grades from last semester were posted and i did better than i thought! i got all A's and B's, and i scraped a C in American Heritage....THANK GOODNESS!!!! I thought i was doomed! ha ha. But, however, i did MISERABLY in TMA 114...i mean, c'mon...i know i missed some of the papers, but my final paper was KILLER!!! and they gave me an E!!! ew ew ew ew GROSS!! i was soooo PISSED off when i saw that....give me at least a D or a C...but NO!! so, i have to take it again to get that grade off and raise my GPA...suck. that ruins my chances of having a Job this semester....

i hate school.

the end.

Coming Home...

2008-04-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

So, I decided to do the Young Ambassadors this year. My talk with Pat went well to tell him I wouldn't be doing Dancers' Company. I am so stoked to be on YA's!!! We are gonna have sooooo much fun!

So on thurday i moved out of my apartment, and on friday i went to my trainer's wedding the in Salt Lake Temple. It was a nice ceremony and I had fun with Emmeline (the ex sister hallam). Saturday was fun too hanging out with my sister and also mission friends. Sunday i just packed and said bye to people, and yesterday i drove home....all by myself. I HATE that drive! it was soooo boring and soooo long.

Now i am home...bored...but i will survive. i got the choreography job with the Playhouse, and now i just need a day job. I am also gonna start working out more often...which will help me stay in shape for YA's next year. SO, i am bored. if you want to save me from my boredom please PLEASE call me and lets PLAY!!

I MADE IT!!!

2008-04-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I made both the Dancers' Company and The Young Ambassadors! But unfortunately I have to choose...so I think I am Choosing YA's! I didn't make the Music Circus for the Summer, but I am gonna go home and Choreograph the Music Man with the 6th Street Playhouse! yay! well , just thought i would update!

Auditions, etc....

2008-04-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

So, we had Thoroughly Modern Millie auditions this last week...the callbacks went well. And don't even worry, they made us sing in CHINESE!! it was hilarious! i think if Ivan and I did it we would have fun...we will see.

so this week, I am auditioning for the Dancers' Company and the Young Ambassadors. Wish me luck! Plus i am playing piano for the auditions on Tuesday and Thursday, and on wednesday i have MDT Dance Proficiencies. Plus i am playing for Tara Bloomfield's Student's recital on friday night and thus rehearsing with them individually every night of the week. suck.

so, yeah...lets just hope i can keep up on everything....i need some time for myself and a love life...ha ha...what a joke...

craziness

2008-04-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

So, these last few weeks have been totally crazy. When I last blogged I had just auditioned for the Music Circus. I still have no word. I hope to soon! Also, I secured myself a bunch of piano jobs recently. My reputation as an accompanist here at BYU is getting better. I just played for the Thoroughly Modern Millie auditions, I will be playing for the Young Ambassador auditions next week, and I am playing for the recital of Tara Bloomfield's students. PLUS, I got a tentative offer to be the pianist at Tuacahn (sp?) for the summer. So my life has revolved around the piano recently.

Also, we just had auditions like I said for Thoroughly Modern Millie. I got called back for Bun Foo...ok people....lets face it...I'M NOT CHINESE!! lol I am kinda upset I wasn't called back for Jimmy. I mean the guys called back for Jimmy, they are really good...but they are the same people...plus the people I was called back with for the role of Bun Foo (excepting like 1) aren't that great. So it kinda makes me think I am low on the MDT chain...hmmm. But at the same time I am ok that i wasn't called back. I mean, if they don't want me, they don't want me. And the other guys will do a WAY better job than I ever could. So, yeah. That is all.

Well, need to do TONS of Homework and Laundrey AND get ready for Call backs!

California Music Circus Auditions

2008-03-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

So, this weekend has been OH so fun!! Me, Clarissa, and Melissa all road tripped out to sunny Sacramento California this weekend to not only visit our dear Ivan, who almost DIED from a random kidney disease, but to audition for the California Music Circus! Geoff and Jenny came in their own car...hmmmm.

So, we had lots of fun riding out here in the car...we sang, talked, told embarrassing stories and i drank more than 5 liters of water. that resulted in ALOT of unwanted stops to use the restroom...he he.

When we got to Sacramento, the Hoffman Family greeted us with warm welcomes. when geoff and jenny finally got here we had a wonderful yummy dinner (prepared by mama hoffman herself...) and then we set off for Kinkos to print off headshots and copy music. that stressed me out. lol

anyways, we all got in bed, and today, we went to the auditions at 9 am. we signed in, warmed up and were informed we would be learning a ballet combo....oh crap i thought...but it turned out well. out of the 145 dancers, all 5 of us made the first cut...they cut it in half...kinda...like 70 were left. THEN we learned a crazy fun combo from Hairspray, followed by another cut. unfortunately, Melissa and Clarissa were cut, but Jenny and Geoff and I made it. then we went to a yummy lunch at the Bread Factory, and after lunch we did both dances again, we all sang, and Geoff and I read for a part in My Fair Lady. I sang All I Need is the Girl. i thought i did fantastic...not being proud, but i was proud of my audition today!

well, it is off to bed...we have a full day of driving tomorrow! GO US!!

Decisions

2008-03-15T03:27:00.000-07:00

You know, sometimes I hate making decisions. It is so hard to decide sometimes between the red shirt of the blue, the water or the soda, sourdough or white, what one knows to be true and what one feels in their heart...I hate making decisions.

In happier news, tonight was the Panama Party! It was a blast to see lots of old mission friends and catch up and reminisce. I also loved the patacones and the cornflake milkshakes and the potato salad...yummy!!!

Random

2008-02-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

So, I don't really know why I am updating this right now. I think I am just procrastinating doing homework. So, Emily got home off of her mission in Taiwan. I got to go to Cali for the weekend to visit with the fam and see her. It was fun. The only bad thing was that it rained all weekend! I was really looking forward to some nice California weather. Oh well. Utah is making up for that right now. It is like 50 degrees outside and SUNNY!!! Absolutely gorgeous!

So, I am kinda tired right now. I have gotten a grand total of 10 hours of sleep since Sunday. It's my own fault though...sometimes I just can't help myself. OH, and in Jazz we did our testing for our combination...it was a super fast combo and it was pretty hard, but i got a 28 out of 30! yay! And Tuesday and today we tested our across-the-floor stuff, and I felt like i did really well. For example, I pulled my hamstring on Monday, yet on Tuesday i was able to kick as high as ever. Plus I hit solid double turns. And today I was able to do a great side leap and really sit into my turnout. I was proud! yay for me.

well, enough about me. I need to do homework.

seriuosly.

i'm going

now

.

Taking Control

2008-02-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

So, lets face it folks, these last two weeks have been HELL!! I have been to Hell and Back...and NOW is the time to take control. I am going to let go and start new goals and just get on track. It feels so good to be in control of my life! I won't let it out of my control again!

So, I finished the American Mall. That was yet again an utter fiasco. We also performed the MDT showcase! It was a blast! The show was amazing! Unfortunately I didn't do much, but I had fun anyway. Jenny Jordan Frogley was the guest star. I was in the Opener (Once Upon a Time from Brooklyn) and the closer (Its Your Wedding Day from The Wedding Singer), and I came out as the preacher in Not Getting Married Today from Company. My parents came, my uncle Curt and aunt Kathy came, Sis. Ampuero and Adriana came, Paul came, Teancum and Seth (my room mates) came, and the biggest suprise of all, PRESIDENT and SISTER DUFFIN came!!! He was my mission president. The best part was in the show when all of those dear people came, during the first part of the closer, I bent down to pick up my partner and my jeans RIPPED so bad! like seriously from the top of my butt almost down to my knee! HA HA HA lol luckily I had ballet tights on underneath, or everyone would've have a wonderful show of my dance belt! GROSS!!

Point being people, I AM IN CONTROL AND SO MUCH BETTER!!!!

The American Mall

2008-02-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

So, I am in a movie! YAY!!! It is called the American Mall. I am a dancer. It is going to be like a "High School Musical" - esqe type musical movei that is being produced by MTV and will air...well, I don't know when. So far it is going good. The first day that the dancers filmed was absolute HELL!!! Seriously, we got at the Mall at like 9 am, and we did a lot of sitting. I realized I am not a Film person...definitely an instant gratification theatre person.

But anyways, so we were there til 1:30 am...it was ridiculous. And not only that but the crew treated us like crap. There was this lady that we nicknamed "Ms. Coyote" who would not stop Shushing us even though there was nothing going on. Yeah, we understood that when they are rehearsing or filming that we have to be silent, but they were just changing lights or something, and she would SHUSH us!!! And very rudely too! Plus they like wouldn't just send us back to the waiting area to wait, but we would wait ON SET for hours without doing ANYTHING!!! It was annoying. It wasn't very organized that day, and there were many other things, but it was just crazy. The other days haven't been as bad. Luckily. I think it is cause "Ms. Coyote" is gone. lol anyways, we finish it this Sunday and Monday. So, yeah...look for me! I am dressed as a Ben and Jerry's Employee in a Tye-dye apron...so it is easy to spot me!

School

2008-01-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well, it has now been about, oh, Two weeks of school, and things are going well. I love my schedule, I love my classes, and i am doing good in all of them, yes, even American Heritage!

I love my Jazz class. My teacher is Jenny Giaque (said "Juke") and she was a former Cougerette. The class is killer, but I LOVE it! Also, my acting teacher, Laurie, is so amazing! We have such a great time in class, and she has really taught us not only acting things, but she has helped us boost our own self confidence.

Hence my new attitude on life...I am keeping it positive! Whenever I get down on myself I just change that thought around to a positive thought. For example in Jazz class there are many things that are very very hard to do, but I just say to myself(and sometimes outloud) "Dude, I can so do this. I will be great!" And when i screw up miserably, I just laugh at myself, pick myself up and start over and try harder, really focusing on getting better and not putting myself down. You should try it sometime! It really helps!

Well, I am here...freezing and trying just to fit in. That I think is the hardest part. But it will get easier.

My new Dorm

2008-01-02T22:19:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you who actually read this thing...which I think is very very few...i am now almost moved into my new dorm at BYU....I am living in The Colony...i like my apt., but I am not a huge fan of the room I am living in. Yeah, either it is too small or i brought too much stuff! lol

So, yeah, I guess it will have to do. I have only met one apartment-mate...his name is Teancum...cool right? he is nice enough...but it seems like it is everyone for himself in this apt.

oh well, i just can't wait to get busy with school and to make friends so that i am not so alone here. that is how i feel. a bit alone.

There's a First Time for Everything

2007-12-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

Well, i just got back off my mission and i figure that i had better get in the "now"....hence....this blog thingy...so, here goes nothing!!