Reevalutating

Looking back on my summer "to do" list

• Study for the NEW GRE
• Work Out
• Audition, Audition, Audition
• Get job(s)
• Blog more on markdrum.blogspot.com
• Hang out with friends
• ROAD TRIP!?!?
• Find a job(s)

Let's see I've worked out (last week during ITF); I've been looking at flash cards for the NEW GRE, Auditions have been on the back burner...I got a job, but still looking. Road Trip is in the works (shhh don't tell...lol) and I have been making an effort to hanging out with friends. Oh and blogging more, which I feel has been working. Granted most of the post have been within this past week, but it's better than nothing right?!?!

All in all I feel like I'm getting my summer "to do" list going. I would still love to actually work out more and so hopefully I'll get my butt into gear with that. I really need to start hitting the study book for the NEW GRE and actually pic a date in which to take the test. Auditions need to happen, but I just need to find out when they all are...I seem to have missed a good number but hopefully I'll be diligent and not miss much. I need a better paying job, but doesn't everyone??!? But in all seriousness I do and hopefully my resume & cover letter are doing it's job...if not I'm going to have to edit them some more.

So within the past few weeks I've done some HEAVY thinking and I need to be honest. I NEED TO STOP OVER THINKING! I just need to let go and go with the flow. I get so wound up over analyzing things that I stress myself out over nothing. However I'm still learning and growing. Change can/can not be good. But I'm hoping this change will be for the better! 

I'm really looking forward to the next month, JULY! Which is actually the MOST BORING month where I work because it's always slow in general. Not that my job is boring but the month itself...lol if that makes any sense. Anyways...I'm going to stay positive and rough it out! 

Doing a lot of deep thinking and taking time for me! Hopefully I'll find what I'm looking for and the answers I need! =]

Part Three: My story/journey to ITF

This year has been nothing but an amazing experience!
Though being home for almost a week now, this year's festival definitely wore me out, but in a good way. I learned so much while being there as well as having the best of time!

It was so cool being able to see my best friend Michael and hanging out with him as well as the other EdTA staff. I've definitely built some long lasting friendships with them, notably Kat...hahaha But all in all everyone on the staff has been such an amazing inspiration to me. I see all of their work paying off in one week because what they do is for the students and for theatre arts education! They see that come to life through the shows, workshops, auditions, NIES and events they put on throughout the week. It's amazing to have been a part of as well as to see all come to life!

The week was a very tiresome week but so much happened. From Sunday - Friday I ran early in the morning each day...yeah I know crazy, but I was feeling the need to work out. Plus it kept me up and with energy throughout the day. Though I did cave and had some starbucks...hahaha

Monday: The general registration day and I was stationed at the T-shirt area and it was one of the first tables where I'd see troupe directors come by. A lot of those troupe directors I've become good friends with and it's always great to see a familiar face as well as welcoming those new to festival. I always seem to get attached to a group or people each year and this year was no exception. The lucky people were this year's ITO candidates. Six years ago I was in their shoes and knew how they were feeling. It was good to meet all the candidates and talk with them. It's funny I just seem to be a random person but really, I was just like them...wanting to do something big with thespians and show my love for theatre.

Tuesday: Very hectic day, started with running Thespian Playworks Auditions which was from 9am - 12pm...Then a very quick (one hour) break and it was off to Tech Challenge, which was from 1pm - 6pm. Finally dinner and some much needed recovery. But then it was off to the official start of the festival with the first mainstage show being the World Premiere of the school edition of "Avenue Q," which I have never seen the show and I was actually looking forward to seeing. Plus I even got to take a pic with Princeton! lol

Thanks to Musical Theatre International for sponsoring the show and taking the pic!

Wednesday: I helped out with EdTA staff member, Julie with her early morning workshop..."Broadway Workout," which started at 7:30 am. Which I had already did a run earlier than that...so I definitely had a work out! Plus I took some pictures of the event and I was fortunate enough to even have one of them featured in an article for the EdTA website!!!! (Click here to see!) That afternoon I had my actual job for the week which was to be the Theatre Manager for the Johnny Carson Theatre for the Freestyle Theatre Shows! Also new this year, I had the privilege to be the Dance Moderator for the dances. Which was interesting but still fun to do. Besides it was good to interact with all the students.

Thursday: Nothing to crazy, did my Theatre Managing and then stopped over by where the Scholarship Auditions were and chatted with students there as well as the coordinator for it Donnie, who I've made a good friend with. Plus he was the same person to coordinate it when I had auditioned and was telling those auditioning about when I had applied. It was nice to remember stories of yester-year even though that was only five years ago and not like 10...hahahaa Oh and I happend to stop by earlier in the morning to the Leadership Workshop run by the ITO! Good times!

Friday: Theatre Managed and yeah sums up the day...and realizing that Saturday was the end.

Saturday going into Sunday: SUPER STRESSFUL DAY! Went to the last leadership workshop and heard the announcement of Chair and Webmaster for ITO. Then photographed the current ITO as requested by them. Then I was off helping run the NIES showcase, which was really hectic, managing people from two different theatres. Then it was straight to theatre managing...after that off running to grab a bite to eat got food delivered to eat, all while getting Scholarship Recipients photographed and then the newly elected ITO photographed...After that running backstage making sure the newly ITO and old ITO were all there going from both theatres. Then finally watched the first half of the final mainstage, "Anything Goes." After that it off to help pack the office with the staff and then off to Dance Moderate the dance. Once the dance was over, which was around 12:30am, finally started packing all of my stuff, then took a quick shower and then took a hour nap. Then I was off to my shuttle to Omaha at 4am, the ride there took another nap, then stood in line for what seemed an eternity to check in my luggage. Then getting through TSA and finally making my flight with 40 minutes to spare. Took another nap while on the plane ride to St. Louis...then another nap during my layover there, immediately got on my flight and had another nap going back to Detroit. So pretty much total amount of sleep that day was like 5 hours. Got home and did errands and then eventually had a quick break. Then not stopping headed to my store meeting, after just arriving back home, but with good reason, because they wanted me to attend the other meeting the next day at 8am and then work two hours later...being the smart guy I was chose to suck it up and deal with jet lag/but really exhaustion and went to the meeting. Finally headed home, ate and went to bed. Literally slept until I had to go to work that next day.

ALL in ALL this festival definitely put me to work and in a good way! I love every single bit! Plus I've been ask to do leadership workshop as well as other opportunities! So I'm very thankful!

WOW! So this has been one long blog of an entry! But it's been worth it!
=]

Part Two: My story/journey to ITF

As mentioned in my previous post...I am truly honored and blessed to have gone another year of ITF! I'm reflecting on the past eight years of going leading up to this year's experience.

Where I left off....I just became an ITO!

My Senior Year of high school was very bittersweet to say the least! It definitely had it's moments of greatness and times of stress/sadness/frustrations. But all in all my experience in being a ITO my senior year was nothing but AWESOME! I got to experience my FIRST TRIP to NEW YORK CITY! I couldn't tell you how awesome that was! As well as being able to help Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids with their annual flea market, where I was pretty much star struck! It was a great time and getting to know my other fellow ITO! I can not tell you how much fun it was planning for ITF as well as my own state conference. I had blast working with a variety of people. Plus I got to even go to my THIRD JTF, this time it was held in GA! Which I had only driven through, so I got to experience it and ATL airport...lol AND I even got to attend another state conference, which was OHIO's! I was lucky enough to borrow my parent's car for the weekend to drive to Ashland University, where it was being held. And guess who was at the conference....DAYLE, MEGAN & CAITLIN! It was always nice to see them! Plus I got to see the Ohio Student State Officers (SSOs for short) and Gloria my judge from JTF as she is from Ohio. It was an amazing reunion going to the Ohio Conference. I taught a leadership workshop and little did I know inspired a thespian to become a ITO and would later win in becoming one!

Then I got to visit the home office of EdTA, which is down in Cincinnati and is totally drivable from Farmington Hills, MI. Didn't really have a car to use so I flew down for the meeting. It was still a TON of fun! So quick story about the trip to Cincy, we had a change in advisors for ITO as well as a new ITO come in midway through the year. But in the end, with these changes we managed to over come them as well as did our best to roll with the punches. Plus since being the Pubs Ed/Secretary/Webmaster, I was pretty much our Historian/Photographer, so I pretty much documented everything too! Plus I was lucky to have a fancy camera....a Nikon D90 (which is now been replaced with my Nikon D5000) and took some cool pics! Plus I was fortunate enough to have Photoshop too! So Photo editing was fun! =]

So finally my year as an ITO at ITF was SOOOO MUCH FUN! But it was a lot of work. We arrived three days before festival would start to prepare for the 2,000+ thespians/sponsors/chaperones coming. That's also the same time when I'd reconnect with an old acquaintance. It was the same kid who had previously wanted to run for ITO back at the 05 festival but didn't get his chance due to lack of turning in application on time or something. Either way, he was back and running again but this time instead of Regional rep but as Chair. However he also was auditioning for the National Cast of "Throughly Modern Millie," and did I mention he was the son of an EdTA staff member? Well within that time at festival we became good friends, which would throughout that year become even better friends then eventually best friends.

It was weird being on the other side, seeing others run to become ITO, but it was a relief that I wasn't running again, though a part of me wished I could have. However through it all, it was a great festival. The workshop ran well, presenting shows was fun and doing the auction was good too! It was a week of work but also a week of fun! I even did the scholarship auditions, which I was fortunate to be called back. In the midst of being an ITO and I took time for me for my future endeavors in an education in theatre. Unfortunately I wasn't chosen to receive a scholarship but I learned so much from the experience and was just glad to have had that opportunity. Yeah, I was disappointed but I kept trucking! Plus I loved meeting my judges as well as the coordinator for the scholarships. All were people who truly cared for the success of students and those passionate about theatre.

So when my term of being a ITO was over, I literally thought I wouldn't be able to experience ITF or do anything as awesome. But I was wrong. I was fortunate enough to continue working with my state conference in 2007 and even attended the Ohio Conference that year too! Then I was surprised to hear I was able to volunteer to help out at ITF 2007! I was so excited and willing to do anything to help out! And that's what I pretty much did. I helped out that year with the Thespian Playworks Auditions being the stage manager as I did when I was an ITO, then helped answer questions at the info desk, was the theatre manager for the one of the one act theatres. It was so much fun! I even got to see my best friend, Michael and many other friends I've made throughout the years at ITF. It was crazy but so much fun at the same time!

Then I did it again in 2008, right before I moved to Greeley, CO. Where ironically Sam & Ryan went to school too. It was like an ITO reunion for our year, half of us going to the same university. Then while at UNC, I experienced my first Colorado state conference! Which was a lot of fun and I got to see familiar faces of EdTA.

From 2009 & 2010, I again helped with ITF! However in 2009, I was cast in a show, where we performed that Friday of ITF and had to unfortunately leave early. Which was a bummer but still a wonderful opportunity. Then 2010 I was back for the whole week and enjoyed it every bit!

Getting tired, I'll finish off with my actual reflections of this past week's experience in my next blog entry...but until then =]

My story/journey of ITF

As I reflect the events of last week, all I can think is WOW! How thankful I am to have had the opportunities I've had, friends I've met and experiences I've had because of this week long event!


I'm going to go WAY BACK.... back to 2002. I was in Eighth Grade and I had chosen to do a solo mime piece for the first Junior Thespian Festival, a three day event which was held in Pittsburgh, PA. My middle school was also chosen to present our show, "Give and Take," by Michael Scanlan, which I can still remember performing. I had just been inducted as a Junior Thespian that Fall 2001 and my brother was born just before the school year. 


So back to Junior Thespian Festival, I went with much excitement and nervousness going. I had worked hard on my solo mime piece as well as continually go over lines for the play and taking as meeting as many people as I could. Two fellow middle schoolers stood out, my friends from Westerville, OH; Dayle and Megan. We were in the "Yellow," group, which the theme for the festival was, "Show us your colors!" Also two more very important people I met were at the festival, Nancy and Gloria. These two amazing people were inspirations to me. Nancy, who made the festival happen and Gloria, was my judge for my solo mime piece. Which during my Solo Mime piece, I was nervous as any other teenager could be performing and getting critiqued. My cassette tape (yup back in the day when they were still in use, lol) wasn't rewound and there I was looking like a fool. I felt like my world was over and I failed. Gloria however was calm and polite and just told me to rewind it and start again. So I did and well...I made callbacks for being a performer at the end of the conference....I remember hearing and seeing the other solo mime performer go and really thought I didn't have a chance...but I still went on and performed. Somehow I was chosen and I was ecstatic to perform for my peers the piece I had worked on so hard. The whole festival was so amazing! I thought that was it, there isn't anything else to do after this. Also another person stood out at the is conference, some high school girl who followed Nancy around and was like the MC for the show. I was annoyed by her but I would soon later realize this high school girl and I would soon have a similar experience we both would share. But at different times.

As we were driving back from PA to MI, my beloved teacher Mrs. C, went over our critiques with us on the bus ride. However she was very proud of three of her students; Katherine, Maya and myself. Mrs. C said three of her students received a Superior at Junior Thespian Festival (which from now on be referred to as JTF) and was eligible to attend the International Thespian Festival (which from now on be referred to as ITF). I was in complete excitement, I couldn't believe there was another place I could experience theatre! Then Mrs. C, said she was really proud of me because I received a perfect score on my solo mime. Let me tell you, I was not expecting to get all Superior, I was expecting a "good" or an "excellent" but all Superiors?!?! I was baffled and also very humbled that my hard worked paid off. I seriously thought I was going to be grilled on technique and character, but I apparently did well.

While back as an Eighth Grader in East, I was then given the choice of furthering my opportunity in Theatre or take an AWESOME trip for orchestra/choir to Mackinaw. Let me tell you if I could I would have done both. But in the end I decided to cancel my check in going to Mackinaw to go to ITF! Which many of my friends were surprised I didn't choose to go, but ITF felt honestly like a once in a lifetime opportunity to go. Plus, when would I ever get the chance to go back again. I had worked hard asking for donations and sponsorships. Which thanks to Mrs. C I learned many skills I still have today.

So my first ITF, it was surreal, only Mrs. C and I went from our troupe. I thought I would know NO ONE! I was wrong, remember Megan, Dayle and Caitlin? Yeah a few paragraphs up, they were at ITF! Their middle school went and brought a one act to perform! I pretty much hung out with them as well as with some high school students! It was all surreal. I was experiencing so much theatre and for a week! What more could I have asked for? I even performed my solo mime piece and I was very out of my element, but I learned so much because of it.

Then I entered high school....Theatre was something I know I wanted to do but I also had other aspirations. Also I was overly involved. But thankfully by the end of my freshman year we established our Thespian Troupe at Harrison. Troupe #6513! But nothing really happened afterwards...Sophomore year went by...not much UNTIL JTF 2004 when it so happens that my middle school was hosting the event! I couldn't believe it! However I did remember a member from EdTA checking out our school as a possible host school my eighth grade year after JTF and before ITF.

I, coursed helped with the event! I was a co-team play create director with one of my classmates. It was fun our theme was Antartica, and I'll be honest our group WAS the BEST! Then I ran into another high school girl wearing this yellow sash and was an emcee for our event. Just like the girl two years earlier. Then it was finally explained, the girl was an International Thespian Officer (ITO for short). This girl was from PA and taught a dance workshop during JTF 04. I got to know her and found out about ITO and what they do. Of course once I found this out, I was completely amazed and fascinated by the possibility of becoming one and making a big impact.

Then that summer, I was thankful enough to be able to attend my second ITF and this team it wasn't just Mrs. C and myself. But an actual group! It was fun and interesting. I was the only high schooler at the time and then there were middle school. But that's beside the point. Still had an amazing time! I woke up EARLY every morning at 7:45 attending the leadership workshop at ITF 04. I campaigned and met even more amazing people. I really got to know the ITO and what they did. I really wanted to be involved really bad with Thespians and EdTA. I worked really hard to try and win Region IV position. There were two other people running and I really thought I did a good job in my campaign, however I didn't win. I was crushed! I felt like my life was over, however after ITF, I maintained good contact with the upcoming year's ITO and one even lived in Michigan. I made sure I'd work really hard to build up my credentials but also confidence in being a leader. After that ITF I literally worked my butt improving my leadership, continued loving theatre and being an academically minded student.

Summer 2005 and again went to ITF. By this point my friends thought I was crazy for going to a week of theatre camp. But at this point it was obvious that my friend had other aspirations with their life other than theatre. However my life was theatre and I loved going to a week long event of theatre! So again I went with my middle school troupe director Mrs. C and only one other student. An incoming freshman Dylan and his dad. I definitely tried hard to win this year. I was a junior going into my senior year, it was my last shot. I even had help along the way too. People were wondering whether or not I'd be running as well as what position. It was good to know I had people actually remembering who the heck I was and actually hoping I'd run. It felt reassuring that I was doing the right thing in running and doing my best into running. I applied for Publications Editor/Secretary/Webmaster position for ITO. It was against one other person, a girl from I honestly can't remember now. But as always with anything involving campaign and running for a position there is politics. Of course I played them too, but I hope that I had played it fairly, I'd like to think I did. There was some kid interested in running for Region IV that year but just didn't get his stuff in on time. Little did I know that person would become my best friend and I would completely forget meeting him that year. Fast forward to Saturday, they've already announced the regional representatives the previous day. Which were Casey, Ryan, Lee and Siri; while today we were electing who were our Chair and Pubs Ed/Sec/Web. I of course throughout that whole week, went over and over my speech. Making sure I was on time and stating what I wanted to say. I felt very confident but also very worried that I'd lose again. However with the politics of elections and trusting in my fellow peers, I had somehow won! I originally wasn't going to tell Mrs. C that I had one, but I really couldn't hide that secret from her. She was ecstatic to hear I won! It was definitely a lot of work paying off.

Which was only the beginning....

I'll blog more, but I'm getting tired! But you can tell that ITF definitely has been a life changer for me and my experiences in theatre!

=]

More photos from ITF 2011

This is where I worked from Wednesday to Today! Love my Freestyle Theatre and watching wonderful shows from high school students!

This dog will be featured in the show, "Anything Goes," which is being performed tonight in the Lied Center. The dog was donated for the ITO auction and I really wanted to win it, but sadly lost...at least I got a photo! 

Kathleen, from the home office staff relieving some stress...hahahaha 

Sarah, from the home office, modeling her bagel glasses! 

Items of Lost & Found 

A picture at the UNL fountain! 

The ITO having a moment of reflection after teaching their leadership workshop this past week!

Another Day at Festival

Harper & I 

Kat & I

Nikon & Canon....yeah was using both during one of the events....crazy right

My best friend Michael & I, chillin

Arts & Crafts with Craig, a staff member

Registration Day for Thespian Festival 2011

 My festival buddy! BFFs since Festival 2010...yeah we go WAY BACK! lol

New Festival Buddy!!!! Harper Lee....she like wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird" lol (but not really, though she's pretty legit!)

Students registering for College Auditions & Scholarship Auditions

Kat (my Festival Buddy) capturing the moment for the theatre organization!

Roommates for the week!

LOL Sarah

Photos so far for this week!

Saw this sign as I was traveling around the city near campus.

Food I got from Five Guys. SOOOOO GOOOD!

Where I am working for the last part of this week.

Found my fraternity's charter house for UNL.

Really wished UNC did this...just sayin...lol

LOL

Where I will be seeing shows performed...including the premiere of the SCHOOL EDITION of Avenue Q

I'll post more pictures as the week goes on!
=]

6am and blogging

I've arrived in Lincoln, NE after pretty much a WHOLE DAY of traveling, but it was such a fun time!

Woke up at 7am to get ready for the day and I honestly was working on five hours of sleep. But if you know me or anyone back at UNC they'll tell you I pretty much DON'T SLEEP and that I'm apparently part human and part wallaby...hahaha

After an hour of trying to get ready/finish some tasks at the house, I arrived at my friend Courtney's house where her and her family would be dropping me off at the airport. Courtney was so kind to even cook breakfast. It was good! I even learned how to cook just the egg whites. Yeah I know that seems something really easy and should have learned to do during college, but I definitely had the luxury of being at home my first two years then while at UNC I had my meal plan...Anyways, the food was really good.

However in true form, I was running late getting to the airport. Luckily I made it with about 50 minutes to spare before my flight left, plus the airlines said I should be there prior to my flight by 30 minutes....so yeah cutting it close but I made it. I stayed positive and didn't freak that I was going to miss my flight...and I totally thought I would, but didn't.

The new terminal at DTW - North Terminal is really old/fancy new....oxymoron I know but really it is...it has alot of it's old elements from the previous building but was definitely renovated to look somewhat like the DTW - McNamara Terminal.

My route to Lincoln, NE consisted of flight from DTW - MDW then a two hour layover then MDW to OMA. Once at OMA, get on OMALINK and then to my final destination, UNL - Kauffman Center.

Chicago - Midway was a good layover spot. I got to use that time to watch a movie and just relax some. Plus I was also able to charge my ipod and phone. I literally came on this trip with almost all of my electronics. But there is a purpose to bringing them, other than making sure my brother didn't get his hands on them. Watched, "How to train a dragon," for the first time...yeah I know didn't see that in theatres and missed every opportunity when my fellow RAs or residents saw it, but I finally managed to get myself to see it....and it was good. Enjoyed the story line, the daddy issues was getting a bit repetitive and kinda ironic watching because today is Father's Day, but still an enjoyable movie to watch for a two hour layover.

The flight from MDW - OMA was short. Only took an hour, which if you were driving it's significantly longer. But made it Omaha, NE! Which during this upcoming week is the NCAA Men's College World Series Championships - Baseball and you could tell that many people coming to Omaha were coming for that. However Monday it's always an interesting mix because include those people and people coming for the International Thespian Festival. It feels like it gets out of hand. But it's always an adventure.

The shuttle ride from Omaha to Lincoln, definitely took longer than what I was expecting...but I didn't stress or complain, I just enjoyed the time I had. Besides I really just was anxious to get to my final destination to unpack and get settled in. While on the shuttle we actually had to turn back because we had to pick up more passengers and then we were off. I was the second stop and finally arrived at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Always a fun town to be in. Got into my room and remembered from previous conversations with the home office staff that I'd be rooming with one of my best friends. I've known him just as long as I've been apart of this festival. I actually met him while as a participant here. Nobody was around when I arrived however, so I just started unpacking and jammed out to music. Also my battery for my phone was near dead so charged that. I even pulled out my Wii and brought it to the lounge area to play for a bit thinking I'll eventually see someone. I did and it was the RA for the summer doing rounds....haahaha. But I did play some Super Mario World 2 and Just Dance 2.

Checked on my phone to see if it finished charging it didn't so and I hadn't ate since being at the Chicago airport so I ventured downtown. I stumbled upon Five Guys and haven't had a Five Guys Burger since my trip to Cincy, so I knew I wanted to eat that, plus it was near the campus and didn't want to venture off too far. Got my food and brought it back to where I'm staying to eat. Ate it outside to thinking, I'll eventually see someone...didn't, but it didn't dampen my spirits.

Got back to my room and put in another movie. This time, "Cloverfield," which I didn't see in theatres or any other time but finally made the time to watch. It was an interesting story line, however the monsters looked like the "District 9" aliens and the camera shaking could have stopped. Overall interesting movie definitely kept me on the edge until I saw the creature and wasn't too impressed.

Finally called it a night and woke up early.
Pretty much have blogged my entire day yesterday. Sorry if it sounds boring, but I know I found it fun! This week is going to be a lot of fun! I'll hopefully post some pictures soon.

=]

Trying to find my place in the world

It's been quite a while since I've last posted and a lot of things have happend...

Got a job and have been doing that. It's been good and enjoying the experience. My co-workers are great and I just enjoy the atmosphere of it.

Did some more photography, though it was family related, but it was nice to get my Nikon D5000 out again. Though I feel a little rusty with all the different scenery around my area and need to rediscover places, so I can feel inspired again by all of it. I have found some really cool places that I definitely want to photograph and there are some places I want/have revisited that are just fun to photograph.

I have been hanging out with one of my many extended family's houses....I'm pretty much their adopted child and I'm ok with that. I love having friends that I can also have a great relationship with their family. I know at least I'm not a bad influence to my friends in their parents eyes...right!??! hahahahaha Anyways been hanging out there, when I'm not working or not sleeping...

I've noticed that I really like to be reserved. Granted being a theatre person, you'd think I be this crazy and partying person. This past month, I've enjoyed being home or with close friends. But don't get me wrong I love being in social settings, that's why I have my job...hahhaha I definitely feel I'm more of a person who'd rather be invited to events than have to plan them and hope people will show up. This might sound conceited but I'm really not trying to sound like it. I've had many times in my life where I've planned things and they haven't gone well...But I've also planned things and they've gone well...so I guess it's a hit and miss...or maybe some self confidence...

Speaking of self-confidence, I definitely got a positive boost, when I was called back for an interview for a job that works in my related field...theatre....and had played to my strengths of leadership abilities and event planning. Just being called back for the interview was more than a blessing, learning and humbling experience. Especially getting one just getting out of college. I was freaking out, but in a good way. It was something I wanted and would like to do. Unfortunately they went with someone else. But I'm ok because there was a silver lining because I got feedback about my interviewed and would keep me in mind for future opportunities. So who could say this was a bad experience!?!??! The employer said my interview was good and really saw potential in me, but just went for the person who was more suited for the position. However keeping me in mind for another in their company....WOW! So this experience was great and my job hunt continues.

But thinking of my interview and just debriefing it with friends I'm doing some deep thinking of what do I want to do with my life. I love theatre and I would love the opportunity to do film, stage, voice over anything with opportunity to perform. But I do also have a passion for leadership, education and being creative. So just trying to really hone in what I want to do has just been difficult, but it's life right?!

Anyways, I'm really excited for next week because I'll be spending six amazing days being around theatre. I've been given the amazing opportunity to go for my NINTH year to the International Thespian Festival, which is being held at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. I'll be the House Manager for the Johnny Carson Theatre which will showcase shows from High Schools for Chapter Select Showcases or Freestyle Theatre. I also will have the amazing opportunity to be the stage manager running the auditions for the Thespian Playworks which features four aspiring playwrights as well as  The Welkin, by Dominic Orland. So I'm really excited!

I think this is a good place to stop. I'll definitely be blogging during the week of ThespianFest11! I even get to see some amazing people! As well as one of my best friends!

=]