Won’t you be my neighbor?
Super excited that this evening, I start reherasals for the musical, Avenue Q!
If you’ve never heard of it, I can tell you, it’s like Sesame Street, but pretend that the whole gang went out to a bar after counting to 20, got completely hammered (and a little frisky) and started explaining how the world really works (complete with lots of profanity).
It’s a hilarous show, and it requires the use of puppets!!
I’m playing Lucy (The Slut) and will have to learn how to be a decent puppeteer, while singing… And those of you who know me well know that walking and chewing gum can be a challenge, sooooo, I’m sure it will take plenty of practice. 
The show tackles issues like racism, one night stands, life after college, the dangers of alcohol abuse, homelessness, homosexuality, and heartbreak just to name a few. It discusses these topics with a bucket full of stereotypes, clever jokes, and a very surprising dollop of heart (not from my character, cause, she’s a total bootch, but whatevs).
I’m stoked to have to learn an entirely new skill set for this show, because I really think it will help to make the experience all the more enjoyable.
I can’t wait until we get our puppets, because I’m SO excited to “meet lucy” and develop her personalilty.
I’m also more than a little hopeful that being in this show, laughing constantly, and having something to work on will knock me out of this little funk!
Only thing to do is jump over the moon.
How many of you know where that quote comes from??
I am absolutely thrilled to tell you guys a little bit of news that I’ve kept from this little webspace for a few weeks now.
I’ve been cast as Maureen in a local theatre production of RENT. RENT is my very favorite musical ever.
When I was a freshman in high school, our choir director introduced us to the music of a musical that she’d just discovered in NYC. It was a little out there, and she cherry picked the songs to be sure that they were all appropriate for us to sing, but our show choir performed that music and I loved it from the very first time I sang about measuring life in love.
As I got older, and more interested in the music, I had an opportunity to work on the song “Take Me or Leave Me” in a college musical theatre workshop class. My love for the show (and the amazing drama queen Maureen) grew.
Even more years later, when the motion picture was released, and I had an easy and cheap way to see the show over and over, my love just really continued to get deeper.
For me, the stories in RENT are about love. Love that is color blind. Love that isn’t defined by gender or station in life. These stories that weave together the plot of RENT are about the fact that we’re all imperfect, and yet still perfectly made to love each other. Life is fleeting. And we must leave regret behind us and focus on the present moment. Not what has been. And not what might come.
The role of Maureen… I’m no fool. I know that there is some Kelsey in that character.
I often wonder if the people that have recently said, “OH MY GOSH, you’ll be such a good Maureen” are trying to compliment me or insult me. 
Certainly, that character is narcissistic, unfaithful, and impulsive.
Three traits that I don’t readily see in myself.
But that character is also emotional, passionate, creative, and willing to raise her voice.
And I think that I have a little bit of that.
So, needless to say, having the chance to play Maureen is a dream come true.
I can’t think of one other role in one other show that I’d be more excited to play. I really can’t.
I’m so happy to share this with you! If you live in the DFW area and want information about where and when the show is being produced, let me know.
Have a great week, everyone!! 
Time Warp!
Whoa! Almost a whole month!? My bad.
It isn’t me, it’s you.
I kid. Anyway, I’m doing GOOD. I’m happy, and that’s nice.
Lemme tell you about some of the things going on in mah world. Hmmm…
Well, Daron and I have been watching the original Star Trek movies, which is GANGSTER. I love scifi… bad scifi is even better. Not that Star Trek is bad, mind you, it’s pretty awesome. Wrath of Khan was AMAZING, and definitely in my top 7 sci fi movies of all time. (I need to make that list official at some point.)
So, yea, Leonard Nimoy is like my favorite person EVER, now
… except for Daron (who isn’t a Vulcan, which totally counts against him… actually, maybe he is a Vulcan)
What else… There is a DFW area theatre awards organization called The Column Awards, and their big GALA (The theme is the ROCKY HORROR COLUMN AWARDS) is just a few weeks away. I was cast as Magenta in the opening number!
This is awesome for several reasons…
1. I was JONESING for a little stage action. A little singing, a little dancing, a little crazy makeup… That’s what I’m talking about.
2. I’m gonna get to perform in front of lots of my friends, and lots of people I don’t know yet, but would like to! So that’s awesome too.
3. The time commitment was relatively small, compared to a full scale production, which is probably a blessing.
Last but not least, being NOT cast in a (different) show recently, has made me really want to be sure that I’m not using a POTENTIAL rehearsal schedule to slack off from working out. So, I’m grateful for the clarity of mind that came from not being cast. It got me off my butt and into my running shoes for the first time in MONTHS! remember this girl??
Yea, me too.
I’m gonna go find her.
Email or comment or send me a carrier pigeon! I miss you guys!
**SMOOOOOOOOCH**
Autumn leaves are falling down…
Hey friends! It’s been a little while, I know. My interest in blogging about my own life experiences has been waning lately, but, I know that I usually end up feeling happy once I’ve opened up.
I hope you’ve all been well! I’ve had a busy few months of life!
I started another school year this August, beginning my 5th year of teaching. This will be my third year in middle school, which is hard to believe… The kids are fun, and very exciting, though, which keeps me on my toes.
I was recently a part of a great production, Funny Girl, at Music Theatre of Denton, wherein I played a snotty showgirl, who managed to tap dance without falling down even ONE TIME! YAY!
Here are a couple of photos Lynn Michelle took of the production! That’s me in the red hat!
And this is me being snotty in a fur coat! (ewwwww!)
I’m very grateful for the wonderful experience with great friends… I don’t think I’ll be working on another show for a good while though.
Also, for what it’s worth, I don’t want to do shows during August and September in the future, if at ALL avoidable… Cause seriously, balancing life, plus a show DURING the beginning of the school year is just crazy.
Anyway, I’m LOVING the whispers of Fall weather that we’ve been having around these parts, and I have a feeling that my mother/daughter trip to NYC with my mom this week will seal the fall feelings! Nothing makes me think FALL like crisp NYC weather! I’m so excited!
We’re going to be seeing American Idiot and Promises, Promises
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and give my love to whomever may be reading.
xo
Here I am!
Hello my friends!
I’m writing to tell those of you who haven’t guessed (or haven’t heard already) about the good news I teased about last week… but also to talk about how AWESOME my spring break has been!
Saturday: Daron and I went with my mom and John to see the Phantom of the Opera! Phantom is one of those classic musicals that you (or at least I) never turn down the chance to see. I guess I’ve probably seen it 5 times live.
Sunday was JUST laying around… which is always appreciated.
Monday: I was in TRUE kelsey form, and went a little crazy…
YEP! Most of you already know, and the rest of you guessed correctly… haha! I am so proud to say that I was cast in my local theatre company’s production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! I’ll be playing Christine Colgate… A character with SO much singing (!), Dancing (!), and shenanigans, its crazy! The cast of this production is a venerable talent show of local musical/theatre power houses. I am humbled to be a part of it.
So, back to “true kelsey form”… you know, if you know me at all that I am an absolute SPAZZ about office supplies. Markers, pens, sharpies, postits, folders, tabs, binder clips, paper clips… I love them.
A girl like me, with a giant script… it doesn’t take long for me to get it bound at kinkos, and go buy fresh color coded tabs that mark each scene, and musical number… It was the highlight of my day.
On Tuesday, I lounged around, caught up on a billion blogs, and played video games. WIN.
Wednesday, I went and got a manicure and pedicure with my dear friend Erin… followed by lunch, and a trip to the mall for purse hunt, March 2010… haha.
Thursday was LUNCH with some of the cast and crew of the SHOW! It was pretty awesome to talk with them about the production, and to have my mind put to ease when I had questions about my voice and training.
Friday, Sweet Jessica and I went out to the Allen Outlet stores, to partake in the Gap Give/Get promotion! It is 30% off of EVERYTHING, including sales and clearance items at the entire family of Gap stores (including Gap Body, Banana Republic, Old Navy… and their respective outlet stores.) I spent too much money, but it was very fun, and I got a lot of stuff I can wear this spring and summer.
Saturday, the randomass Texas weather went from 75 degrees yesterday to 35 degrees today, and so I’m staying bundled up and toasty with my hubby…
I bought New Moon earlier, so I may torture him into watching it with me later, who knows.
Tomorrow, Sunday is our FIRST rehearsal/meeting/read-through of the show, and I am positively buzzing with excitement. I’m ready to meet everyone officially, though they all already feel like close friends, and I’m ready to get started.
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