Love, Theatre: My Thoughts Leaving Oz

I spent my summer in Oz this year, playing Dorothy in a local children's theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz.  We closed our eight show run two days ago, and already I am missing the friends I made and the experiences we had together.  It's not like this is my first time having to say goodbye to a production.  Oh no, in fact, this was my fifteenth production that I have worked on as a performer, and that doesn't include all of the numerous shows I've been on tech for.  It was my sixth, with with this theatre, which holds a special place in my heart, as it always will.  No, I have let go of, and said goodbye to, many, many shows...but that doesn't make it any easier, because of what theatre is about.

Before our last show, our director told us why he does theatre--because theatre is all about love, "and the world needs more of that."  Theatre people always talk about their "theatre family," and I think that a lot of people don't really understand what that means, and I'm not sure I can fully explain it.  There is a special bond, unlike anything else, that comes from being on a stage, creating a world that is live and in the moment for a bunch of people sitting in seats to watch.  I mean, if you think about it, theatre is insane.  Who in their right mind would spend one or two months of time rehearsing to create this imaginary world so that people can come and watch them live out other peoples' lives?  Sounds silly.  And yet, hundreds of years later, the theatre is still existent and growing.  Because it's a place where you can go to escape, whether it is by watching this world come to life or making that world come to life.  A place so pretend, but so full of reality.  Theatre brings people together and allows them to all live in one singular moment and experience it together.  Where else do you get that?  It's no wonder there is a bond created.

That creates love.  Love between characters onstage, coming from sadness, despair, hope, and longing--the depth of human emotions that we often try to avoid in the real world.  Love between actors, coming from trust you must have in one another to make a world to share with others from the rawness of your human nature.  Love between the audience members and those onstage, coming from the empathy that is deep within us all, causing us to relate to what takes place on that stage.  Love between humans, coming from what we all are.  Theatre brings to the surface emotions.  Emotions make us human.

I wouldn't trade my experiences in theatre for the world, for God has used them to truly fill my life with so much love and laughter and wonderful memories.  There was one show during the run where I was nervous because I had a lot of people coming to see me in the audience.  Then my focus shifted to not who was in the audience, but who was on the stage.  That was what mattered.  Obviously, I do theatre for the audiences.  I do it to serve people--to give them a break from daily life and to make them feel.  But the moments when I am in Oz were all about who was in Oz with me.  The moments are fleeting.  Theatre is fleeting.  Shows don't go on forever--that's what makes the time we have together so meaningful.

There was a moment in the show--the moment between when Dorothy clicks her heels and when she arrives back in Kansas--that I really took in during the last show.  I stood in the dim lighting, as all of the characters of Oz circled around me before disappearing forever, and took it all in.  This moment was real--Oz was leaving.  Then Dorothy wakes up and realizes that the people she needed were always with her.  This is true.  As the whole land of Oz circles around me and disappears, now only a distant dream, I know that those people are always with me.  The bond we have is permanent, because that's what theatre does.  Oz is always with me, as are all the other lands I've experienced onstage with my ever-growing theatre family.  I carry them with me always.  Saying goodbye is hard, but the love is no less.  The love will never be less...because that's what theatre is all about.  So long, Oz...now on to the next adventure!

Photo from Lexington Children's Theatre's Facebook page, taken by Bel Canto Photography

Honor Roll

I graduated almost two months ago from high school--seventh in my class, member of every academic society my school offered, highly involved in clubs, and a recipient of the International Baccalaureate Diploma.  I was involved and motivated, with a high GPA and ACT.  Yet, here I am sitting at a laptop, a month away from going off to college with a great scholarship, feeling ill-prepared for life ahead--feeling as though the public education system has failed me.

I'll be honest, I am probably more prepared than most, because the International Baccalaureate Program did provide me with ample writing skills and presentation/people skills for life, and I am very grateful for that because I think that is more than most have available to them.  That being said, I am sitting here, applying for an on-campus job, clueless as to how to write a cover letter.  I don't know how to do that, pay taxes--heck, I was never even taught how to write a check.  Now, I am fortunate to have parents who are more than willing to help me, but I realize that this isn't the case for everyone.

I feel as though the education system failed me.

I had wonderful teachers who really wanted to help students become the best humans that we could become.  My school has a policy in place to try to make its students "college and career ready," but these goals have been made impossible by the focus on testing and rankings.  Students become defined by numbers, and while these numbers may test the ability of a school to relay information to students, they do not give a full picture to the educational success of the students, that hinges not only on the academic success, but also on the emotional success and team-building skills that students gain.

Going out into the world is a scary thing--well prepared or not.  I only hope that students, teachers, and school officials can work together to find a happy medium for gauging and creating success.  Because it is only when the emphasis is put on overall success for individual young people in life as a whole that growth happens that affects not only standardized testing scores, but all-around growth as humans.

We're Off To See The Wizard

I apologize for not posting for a couple of days.  I have been super busy due to extended family being in town and my being in rehearsal for "The Wizard of Oz" at a local children's theatre.  I am super excited to be playing the role of Dorothy, alongside a wonderful cast of young people and adults.  It is an absolute blast, but rehearsals are getting later and later.  I thought I'd keep you updated to show what goes into a professional theatre production leading up to the opening night, which for us is next Thursday!  Yesterday we worked Act I and today we worked Act II of the show.  At this point, we are able to run everything, but in the coming days we will be adding technical elements, and on Sunday we add the orchestra, so we are working to polish what we do so we can hand the show over to tech starting Thursday.  The theatre I'm doing the show with is the 3rd oldest children's theatre in the nation, and is the only professional children's theatre in our city.  It is super fun to be involved with them, and I love the atmosphere created by the people there.  I will continue to update, but for now, I'm off to see the wizard (or go to sleep, ya know...).  Goodnight, all!

Alum Cave Trail

I didn't do this trail this summer, but the Alum Cave trail is one that goes all the way to the top of Mount LeConte, where there is a lodge that you can stay at, though you have to make reservations months in advance.  I have never gone all the way to the top, 4.4 miles, so I will talk about the two landmarks along the way that I have experienced, which are a totally doable hike with a family.

1. Arch Rock.  This is the first landmark you hit.  This rock has a staircase through it...crazy cool and lots of fun.  You can turn around here, or head to landmark numero dos...

From the bottom, about to enter Arch Rock.

The staircase to get up through Arch Rock.

2. Alum Cave Bluff.  What the trail is named after.  This landmark is a little past Arch Rock and is about halfway through the trail.  Evidently past this point is where the trail gets really strenuous, which makes sense because up to this point, I was having trouble believing that this trail went all the way to the top of LeConte (it just wasn't super steep or anything).  However, to get to this point is not bad...especially for this view...I can't put into words what it looks like, but it is crazy, crazy cool, so I encourage everyone to go check it out.

I really hope to do this trail or one of the longer ones and go all the way to the top of LeConte one day...but until then, this is all I've got for you.  Happy hiking, and thanks for reading this week's blogs about my Gatlinburg trip!

Go Karts and Coasters

In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge there are tons of fun attractions (not hiking??? *gasp* I know!!!) for families. There are a multitude of go kart tracks, and we did one in Pigeon Forge called Fun Zone Speed Park where a low admission price gets you rides on three tracks. The tracks were decently long and you got about a five or six minute ride which was really impressive. It was a lot of fun, even though I was in a two person car with my mom, the crazy driver!!!! This was how I felt the whole time. Good thrill option (especially if with my mom) for the whole family.

My personal favorite attraction is the somewhat new Alpine Coaster. It is similar to a real roller coaster. The track takes you way up the hill and then you push down on levers to go flying down the mountain, around turns. Totally fun for the whole family (like go karts) and worth the $15 adult ticket price (check out those coupon books around town for deals!). A YouTube link is below. Also note that Goats on the Roof now has an alpine coaster too. I personally haven't ridden it, but I tend to stick to the original. Go check out Goats on the Roof too though...cool place.

Chimney Tops Trail

This week I did the Chimney Tops trail for the very first time. I honestly have never been so out of breath on a hike. The first half of the 2 mile hike isn't bad, but during the last mile you ascend 960 feet. There are a ton of stairs, some of are at a steep incline, but the stairs were honestly easier than the normal path in my opinion.

Other than the extreme asascension, the trail is fairly family-friendly. There were many families on it (shout out to those kiddos for making the strenuous hike!!!). There were no crazy steep dropoffs, however the very end of the trail is extremely dangerous. The last 25 feet or so is basically a rock climb, where some inclines are at 60°. I personally did not make that final climb, and neither did any of my party. Next time I will probably try to do it...but it is a little risky, and I am afraid of heights. However, right before that point on the trail there are some decent outlooks that made the hike worth it. And once you get to the top, it's all downhill on the way back!!! I totally recommend this hike. I felt so empowered after conquering it. Be prepared to have a sore butt and legs the next day though...hahaha! Here are some more pictures I captured along the way. Happy hiking, and check back in throughout the week for more!