Some things never change....

How far I've come!

I've taken vocal coaching/voice lessons since I was 14. I took voice from a friend's mom, an amazing woman named Ginger Bess, and from a teacher at Snow College. The year I got home from Snow College I did Oklahoma and had a blast doing it! Fun cast, fun part, etc.  But even as I look back, I can just see so many things wrong with my performance. 

 I haven't taken a lesson since Snow college.
Until Now.
At the beginning of the summer, I started taking lessons from a woman named Maurie. And it was like the glass slipper just fit. One of the first things she did was make me audition for one of my dreamroles, Jo March in the musical, Little Women. I went to Centerpointe Legacy Theater and sang my audition along with hundreds of other women and girls. And I was one of the five called back for Jo. Five. Out of hundreds. I didn't get the part, (not uncommon for a first time auditioning at a theater). But I was so honored to be in the same call back as the 4 other women that were there with me. They were amazing.
Later a friend, told me he had a conversation with the music director. They were amazed by my talent, but when it came down to it, I didn't fit in with the other girls they wanted as Amy, Beth, and Meg. Not to mention, Maddie (actually my voice teacher's daughter) gave one of the most remarkable auditions I have ever seen anyone do.
My point is not to blow my own horn. It's to praise my voice teacher. What an amazing and remarkable woman. And she knows just what to do with my voice. She has been training me in classical, Jazz, theater, mix etc. She is making me do things I had no idea my voice was capable of. And most importantly, she is giving me the confidence I have never had. The problem is: I AM DYING TO GET BACK ON STAGE!
We had a recital for her students on Monday, and I performed with some of the most talented people in our theater department, which was really intimidating and a real honor. But I was absolutely amazed that I was able to do what I did. A really vocally demanding song. And last all the way through. I forgot how good it felt to do a good performance. And I'm dying for the opportunity again.

Another one down (30x30)

It has been FOREVER since I posted! I know, I know! I'm sorry. But I have been so crazy. School has been insane! But I wanted to let you know that during the SUMMER, I knocked off one of my 30 by 30s! (Twenty freaking nine to go) But here goes: ahem, hem, hem (in style of Dolores Umbridge)
I directed a Musical.
Yes, All by myself.
This summer I directed Hello Dolly at Heritage Community Theatre in Perry, Utah. I've been involved at Heritage for over ten years now, it's where I met two of my best friends, I'm on the staff, I've starred, been in chorus, choreographed, costumed, set design, graphic designed, painted, stage managed, etc. etc. etc. at this theater. I directed Curious Savage a few years ago, but this was my first musical that I directed by myself. It turned out I not only directed, but choreographed, costume designed, cutter/draped, set designed, bla bla bla. The board was in a turn over, a communication wasn't strong, so I didn't get much support. Luckily I had a few people in my cast who were wonderful and came through.

The amazing Dolly dress. It was a purple velvet with sparkles on it. She was so sparkly! SOOO SPARKLY! It was definitely a wow moment. The audience audibly gasped, then cheered when she walked out in that dress.

Cornelius and Irene were 2 of my favorite characters and their kiss was incredible. 

We kind of became obsessed with Wall-e and Eve with these two characters

I loved Irene and Minnie Fay's dresses. I designed and draped them

Motherhood March was one of the greatest songs in the show. 

Dolly teaching the boys to dance. I loved Barnaby's bowtie and striped vest and plaid wool pants.

A "moment"

I loved this choreography so much. Collaborated with Phil Tuckett (my Cornelius) and he taught it. And it was an amazing dance.

Kajsa was not only an amazing stage manager, but stopped the show with laughter as Mrs. Rose

I am completely convinced that Shanna is the best Dolly there ever ever ever was. Better than Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Mary Martin, ANYONE. And I loved the dress I designed and cut and drape for her, and the hat I made for her. 

All in all, it was an amazing experience. 

1 down 29 to go.

I have a few on my list to get going and knock off. All in good time!

Another Semester Down

One more semester down. I can't believe how far I've come and how much closer I am to graduating. I should be done in about 3-5 semesters (depending on how well i do my scheduling and how I fit in classes) But I'm proud of this semester.

I got a 3.89 this semester! That pulled my overall GPA up to a 3.27

It's always nice to see what your hard work and stress and anger and tears paid off.  Costume Design was one of the most time demanding classes I have ever taken. I was so proud of getting an A in that class. There were times where I was sure I blew it. 

If I keep getting good grades, hopefully that will pull my GPA up to a 3.6 by the time I graduate and I can graduate Cum Laude. That would just be incredible. Here's to crossing my fingers and hoping and working hard the next few years.

This is why I never really have time to hang out with my friends. This is why I don't take time to do stuff on the weekends or go out and Party. Because when you get to this point, then everything the whole semester was worth it. And when I finally walk across that stage, hopefully with a purple and white cord around my neck, It is going to be one of the best feeling ever.  

(Yes I only got a B in yoga. I slept in a few days...........)

Thirty by Thirty

I'm 27 years old. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I like being older. When I was younger I couldn't wait till I wasn't a stupid teenager anymore. That was the reason I didn't want to be a teen. Even as a teen I knew teens were stupid and obnoxious. ANYWHO.
I have loved my twenties so far. I've lived in 3 countries (besides the U.S.) I've done a lot of schooling (apparently not enough though, sheesh.) I've had bad relationships and a few good relationships, and I have amazing friends. I've been on amazing trips, I've made amazing costumes, and BLA BLA BLA!
hahah
Three years ago I wrote a post about my life so far and the things I've accomplished on my "list of things to do before I die."
By the age of 24 I had crossed off the following:
- I rode a horse in a dress
- I went Skydiving
- Played Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime
- Rode a tandem bike on the beach.
- Saw a Broadway show in NYC
- Saw the Taj Mahal
- Ate dinner on a beach at sunset (in Sri Lanka actually)
- Saw Sutton Foster Live
- Learned to do Yoga (very basics, but enough to calm down my freak outs)
- Played the Tambourine in a band.
- Went snorkeling on a coral reef
- Received my endowments from an LDS temple
- Saw Rachmaninoff's second concerto performed live. (with my mom)
- Lived in Europe (germany)
- Lived in India and did humanitarian work.
- Get a puppy. (sigh)

16 things done. that means i had 84 to go. So what have I done in the last 3 years that I have crossed off my list? Let's see.

Won a Costume Contest

(If you'd like to see more pics click HERE)

Worked at a Renaissance Faire

(It was a very cold day here. I'm trying to stay warm)

Went to Rome

(With my best friend, Kristi, none the less)

Visited the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York

Read Shakespeare in Stratford Upon Avon

(This is in Anne Hathaway's garden. Anne was Shakespeare's wife)

Climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty

(Thayne, Me, Mom, and Russell)

Visited Stonehenge

Did something drastic to my hair. 

(I pixie cut it, then I bleached it blonde. WOAH!)

Study Abroad

Saw a show in Shakespeare's Globe in London

Ran a 5k

Studied Shakespeare in London

So now I am going to do more. I have a 30 by 30 list. I have three years until I turn 30 and I'm going to accomplish 30 things on my "bucket list" my "101 things I want to do before I die" list etc etc etc. 

I got this idea from my friend, Jen. (She's also my brother's very special friend that's a girl and they go on dates and kiss. yes, his girlfriend, and I love her to death.)

Some of the things I'm determined to get done on my 30 by 30 include:

1-Graduate with my Bachelors.

2-Go to a Redwings game. (My bro-in-law, Ron says I can't without him)

3-Breath Fire.

4-Learn to do amazing Night photography. 

5-Go back to Europe. (Especially England)

So I'll keep you updated. Everytime I accomplish something on my 30 by 30, I'll post it. If i do 10 things for each next 3 years, I can do it!!! 

                  

27 years old!

I had my birthday last week. I love birthdays for one big reason: I get to hang out with my friends. I've always been one of those people who loves throwing parties, I love to hostess, but I can't seem to ever get a lot of people to come to my parties. I blame facebook. Before facebook, we all wanted to go to parties and see people and catch up so bad. Now? Nobody wants to see each other anymore, no one needs to catch up. And everyone RSVPs to parties, and never shows up. I haven't thrown a party in about a year....since my last birthday, because I try to hide it, but I really do get sad and disappointed at all the people who don't show up when they say they are going to. But oh well. I understand people are busy. I'm busier than busy. I make busy look like a yoga retreat.

So we had a nerd party at my family's restaurant, Bella's Fresh Mexican Grill, where we watched Doctor Horrible and played Nerd Jeopardy.

I made a very sad looking tardis cake. I know. It's ridiculously pathetic and droopy. 

And I got to see some of my besties. Chad and his boyfriend, Adam, came dressed up in Battlestar Galactica gear.

Shawn drove like a madman all the way up from Spanish Fork to see me on my birthday. 

And Brady made a break from doing lights in Wyoming and interviews in Idaho to come to my party. He even came with me to my family party the next day.

Congrats to him by the way, he's going to be the resident lighting designer for BYU-I. Their facility is just like the LDS Conference Center. Quite the challenge. Not only is he going to learn so much, but he's going to  wow them.

But this year was great. I didn't care it was my birthday, it was just fun to visit with family and friends. 

"Father Forgive me"

So a while back, like...years ago, I worked for Foursite Film Institute. It was...interesting. But one of the fun parts was helping out with films, and I got to be in a few, always small parts. One of them was a period piece called "Father, Forgive Me." And honestly...it was so cheesy. But I found it on youtube last night, and you know what? I remembered how much fun I had doing my little part. So if you want, I'm in the first five minutes or so (I'm Miss Kitty) and after that, no more. So if you don't want to keep watching, you don't have to, but my friend, Jim is super sexy on his horse (he's the deputy) and I thought Charlie Halford did a great job (the sister's husband) as does Paul Mize (the sheriff).
It's also one of my favorite costumes I've ever made and worn (the one I am wearing). I spent a long itme on it, and it has a million buttons up the back. It turned out phenomenal and it fit me like a glove, especially then at my smallest at 135.
Also, how about that cheeky butt slap?

Enjoy. It was fun to recall that.

P.S. I always kinda wished I'd let Tye kiss me in that scene, just for the blooper reel. :( Maybe next time.

Lastly, this was a dance for the camera we did while I was there. I did the costumes. Nothing too fancy, but it was so much fun to be a part of.