Chapter Closed. New one.

Tour is over. Tour is over. Tour is over. Can't say it enough. Tour is over.

Phew. Sigh. Phew.

It was a great experience overall. I really do have a lot of respect for Wichita Children's Theatre. Yes sometimes it is a giant cluster fuck and everyone is scrambling around but in the end the show goes on, and the kids don't notice a thing. This job helped me cooperate and have a more easy going attitude towards everything. I realized, in college, I took things too seriously. I was so worried about everyone else's actions, I didn't concentrate enough on my own. I needed to worry about MYSELF.

My goal going into this was to adjust to each space and each audience. I felt I did so with positive results. In the beginning I was able to talk to the director and ask him what he thought about "improvising" or adding little things here and there and he said absolutely. If the audience had several adults, I'd try to add a couple jokes that only they would get, and if the kids were silent, I'd try to add things here and there to get them to laugh. The thing about Children's Theatre is there can be no acting. All of the "being in the moment" bullshit doesn't apply here. Goal: Always move, find a voice pattern, make them laugh. They aren't there to get their heart broken, or watch you perform a brilliant monologue. Nope. They want to see something funny, hear some songs, and maybe learn a lesson. I felt I was able to accomplish that. It was hard working with the same 3 people every day, and even traveling with them. It downright sucked at times. I'm someone who likes my alone time, and throughout these 6 months, I dealt with a lot of personal issues that were really hard and part of being a grown up, and I just wanted to be left alone to sulk or whatnot, but I had no privacy. I think that was probably the hardest part for me, adjusting to being around people 24/7. Luckily the second half allowed for a lot more free time. We would be done around 3:30 and I could also go work at the hotel in the evenings and have a little bit of a breather. I really found a confidence in myself through this which is kind of crazy. I got reassurance that I am a hard worker, and am dependable. I balanced two (sometimes three) jobs and only a couple times were late (because of fluke things). I don't need anybody to tell me I'm a hard worker. I know I am. Comments from my bosses from all jobs I held prove that I am, and it's discouraging hearing other people say I'm not, however I am confident (don't confuse that with cockiness), and it really helps me tackle anything.

Immediately after we got home we struck the tour and I had the initial meet and greet with the cast and crew of "The Merchant of Venice". Walking in I noticed one thing.... I am by far the youngest person of the cast. Which is completely intimidating for me. I'm an over thinker. I can over think any situation. Everyone basically knew each other, or knew OF each other, maybe they only met in passing a few years ago, or they did a show together last year somehow everyone seemed connected in some way. Then I walk in... It felt like the movies where someone unwanted walks in and everyone immediately abandons their conversation and it falls completely silent. It felt like the first day at a new school. However, after everyone had a couple cocktails and a glass of wine conversations between myself and them seemed to flow more naturally. I even was able to make them all laugh with a couple jokes. Phew. Rehearsals don't officially start until the 19th of March so I'm going over lines already and finding research. He's setting the show right before WWII. It will be neat, and a great experience I'm sure. I've been dying to do a show with a little meat in it. I'm sorry but performing a song with the lyrics "I like no peak chicken and spruce juice goose, they're my all time favorite dishes/ No peak chicken and spruce juice goose I like them better than spinach or fishes" gets a little old after oh... a week, and that lasted for 6 months.

Now. I worked early this morning, and have a couple hours for a nap, so that's what I'm gonna do!