Wicked

so I don't know exactly what this post is about, but lately I have become completely obsessed with the musical Wicked. I  mean I always loved it, but after months of listening to music from Aida nonstop, I finally started listening to Wicked again, and Ive pretty much been looking up youtube videos and behind the scenes stuff nonstop now. I'm not exactly sure why I love it so much, but for one the sets and costumes and everything are just amazing but other than that the storyline is awesome and it has a really beautiful message about friendship, and acceptance and being yourself. the songs are so great, they just blow my mind... I don't know, I just think it is amazing and that everyone should go and see it. oh, and Elphaba is like the coolest character ever! I swear, one day, and I don't know how I'm going to make this happen, but BYU is going to do Wicked and I want to be Elphaba. I mean, I know thats probably never going to happen, but how awesome would that be!?

Aida closing weekend

closing weekend of Aida went even better than opening weekend. It was so much fun I don't even know how to describe it. I did really well both nights and totally belted my songs, closing night was probably my best night out of all of them. I'm actually really really sad that it is all over. doing this show has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have learned so much and grown so much through this whole experience and i am so thankful to the entire cast and everyone who has helped and supported me

I GOT IN TO BYU!

wow I cant believe I almost forgot to write a post about this! last week I got some amazing news that I was accepted to Brigham Young University, where I have always wanted to go. Its been a long wait and now I'm super excited to go to college and figure out what I am going to do with my life. After looking at all of the theater classes that BYU offers I think I might just declare myself as a theater major instead of taking some theater classes before declaring my major, which was my previous plan. who knows how my plans, interests and dreams will change during college, but I'm sure I will have a lot of fun along the way! stay tuned to find out!

Aida Opening Weekend

Overall, opening weekend for Aida went great, of course there were a few little issues, but overall it was an amazing experience. Opening night was probably one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was actually pretty calm all day. I didnt really start freaking out until a little before we all had to go backstage when the doors opened. Erin belted out a song with me to calm my nerves which helped for a little. but standing backstage in the dark for half an hour just waiting for the show to start is horrible. I though I was going to puke, which thankfully I didn't do. there was a brief moment of tears but Erin and Brandon didn't let that last long. Thankfully Brandon was backstage the whole whole time, which was especially helpful right before the show started. its nice to have one of your biggest supporters with you to give you a hug, tell you how great you are going to do, and not let you stress too much.

Being on stage during the show was amazing. it was so much fun and I surprised myself that I was able to sing in front of people, like really belt stuff out instead of freezing up. and of course being backstage with everyone was amazing and as fun as ever. When the show was finally over and I walked out to bow...I cant even describe the feeling. I really just felt joy...and like all of my work had finally paid off.

the second night went pretty well for the most part. most of the audience members were people that I knew, so although I wasn't quite as scared before the show started, I was a lot more nervous while on stage. But it went well except for some sound issues that totally messed me up when I sang Easy as Life, so I ended up having to make up the whole end of the song because the music wasn't right when I started the last verse. lets just say that was a scary experience. as soon as the lights blacked out I ran off stage and almost started crying. Good thing I had Brandon back there. he gave me a hug, made me look him in the eyes and said that it was totally fine, that I covered it up well and not to worry about it. The rest of the show went fine, but that mess up still bothered me for a couple days until I finally just let it go.

overall, opening weekend was a complete success. everyone who saw the show had great things to say to me, most of my family and friends were there to support me, and I really ended up facing my fears and did something that I never though i would do in a million years

Aida Rehearsals

My last post about Aida was about the auditions so I thought I might as well post something about rehearsing and the actual process of putting a show together. Its been a lot of work. I stay at school until between 6:00 and 7:00 most nights. I had to memorize my lines and songs before we even started blocking, and we've been doing a bunch of singing, dancing and acting over the last few weeks.
The first two weeks of rehearsal were dance rehearsal. there are only 3 big dance numbers in the show so we worked on those a lot, pretty much to the point that everyone is sick of those songs.
The next few weeks of rehearsal were on act one, we blocked the scenes, practiced them a lot and figured out what would work and what we were supposed to be doing. we just ran through all of act 1 and I've gotta say I'm so excited! its going to be awesome.
we have also worked on the set for quite a few Saturdays and its turning out great. most everything is built and its definitely one of the coolest sets we've done. and we got lights!!! our director Ms. Kindred and Brandon stayed at the school until 2:00 in the morning putting them up, but we tried them out today and there are crazy!
so now we have 3 weeks until opening night. this week we are blocking the 2nd act. next week is going to be mainly singing and fight rehearsals, with a run through at the end of the week, and then next week we are teching the show, running through it, and we open on Friday!!

so I guess you could say that I'm really really nervous. but at the same time I'm having the time of my life rehearsing for this show. its definitely tiring and frustrating at times. but I never expected to have so much fun and love it so much. so although part of me is dreading opening night, the other part of me is so excited because I know its going to be so much fun.

winter formal 2011

Finding a dress for a formal dance is always a challenge, and quite an adventure, though not always a fun one. going to a normal store is pointless because the dresses there just don't have quite enough fabric, looking for modest dresses at a Mormon dress shop would work, but think that they are pretty much all ugly, so that usually leaves the job to my moms awesome sewing skills and my imagination. For this year's winter formal, my dress ideas changed many many times until something was finally decided on. Everyone, including me ended up really liking my dress. my mom did an awesome job, I had some great ideas, and I look pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

Happy New Year!

Well, its finally 2011, which means I have a ton of HUGE changes coming up. college acceptances are coming, as well as graduation, and leaving for college. Its all pretty crazy to think about, and I'm actually trying not to think about it too hard, but its really exciting when you think about it. Its going to be a huge turning point in my life, and although that is pretty scary I am get so excited when I think about all of the experiences and possibilities that I have coming up. So although I really have no idea where this year will take me, here are a few of my predictions/ an outline of things I know will happen this year:

• January and February are going to be crazy because we have rehearsals for Aida. I am so looking forward to these next two months because although I know they will be hard, I know they will be so rewarding and fun.
• I am going to find out weather Ive been accepted to BYU. I have already been accepted to SVU which i guess is my second choice, but I just cant wait to get my letter from BYU.
• GRADUATION! oh wow. some days I cant wait to just graduate and get out of here, but some days I dont want high school to end.
• summer will be lots of working and spending time with friends
• then off to college in either utah, idaho or virginia!

wow! talk about scary...but right now Im just excited that I have my final semester of high school to enjoy!