I get by with a little help from my friends . . .

This week we wrapped up Annie. We had a pick-up rehearsal, four performances, pictures, the cast party, and strike. The kids did a really good job. It was a really rewarding experience and I was very touched by their acts of kindness towards me at the cast party. Everyone who came to see to show said they were very impressed with the level of professionalism and skill that the kids and the show possessed.

I learned a lot, both practical and personal through this experience. I feel like I found the perfect organization for this project. It is really rare to find a theatre company that incorporates social change and since I love working with kids, everything this group possesses goes with who I am and where I can work well in the fight for social change. The kids also became very attached to me. For some of them, it was a complete surprise how attached they became to me which reminds me that God is constantly using me in mysterious and new ways that I don't even realize. It continuously amazes me with how we created this little family that came and went as fast as the show. We helped each other get through the hard times. I really enjoyed YAI and I definitely want to work with YAI in the future, possibly this summer. Also, I really wanted to execute my solution for the project next year, but now due to recent events, I might be transferring. I am hoping to stay in the cities but now there is no guarantee that I will be able to do what I had planned.

I would give myself an A on this project. I know that there is always stuff that I can work and improve on but I am very proud of myself considering how much I went out of my comfort zone with this project. First, I am not a stage manager, I am a performer. So, it was something brand new just to do a job that is so outside what I was used to. Also, I'm not the best at writing papers but I feel like I learned a lot about the paper writing process through this project. Then, just considering the fact that I devoted over 200 hours to this project, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and many of the kids know view me as a friend, I whole-heartedly believe that I deserve an A on this project.

Oh my goodness! So much happened with my project this week! Well, first I got back from Florida last Sunday at like 5 pm so I basically ate dinner and went straight to Annie practice. Then, we were in tech week for the show, ah! Also, I didn't sleep very much because I had to write my chapters (I was in Florida for Good News Players all of spring break-14 performances in 6 days!). Friday was opening night and things went great! This was also a new experience because I have never done a show that has been put together so last minute. On Thursday night, we were still missing props and costumes and it did stress me out a little bit. This of course, made me a little nervous for Friday. Saturday I was at Neighborhood House all day since we had two performances. Sunday was especially fun, I had three performances total with two GNP performances and an Annie performance in between. Then, on Sunday night we were on Kare Eleven. I think that is really cool! Only a pic-up rehearsal and four performances to go and then I am done!

Mostly, I learned what it meant to be a stage manager this week. I always knew it was a stressful job but I never actually understood why until now. I also got the ultimate pressure put on me for one of the shows this weekend and it was a lot. It's amazing to see how everything has come together. I'm also bonding with some of the older cast members and that is really special for me.

A+ Across the Board. I devoted over 50 hours to my project this week! I gave 100% through my job as stage manager. I even stressed myself to tears for one of the performances. I was giving it my all, the kids worked hard as well, and we had a great opening night. We're half way done!!

1. Description. What happened in your project this week? What did you do? Experience?

I went to Annie practice, as usual! I also worked on my chapters. I forgot to submit the chapter times on my time sheet so I will do it on the next one. I missed the whole second week of practice because I was in Florida so now it is a little crazy being back and going straight into tech week. Things are going well though. It's exciting to see it all come together!

2. Interpretation. What did you learn from your project this week? About the project? About the issue? About yourself?

I did some more interviews during practice. The director was kind enough to let me do this while the assistant stage manager filled in. Thus, I was able to collect enough information for my primary research. I got the opportunity to interview a couple parents along with the volunteers and students. It was interesting to see all the opinions and the similarities and differences.

3. Evaluation. How would you evaluate your work on the project this week? What grade would you give yourself? Are you accomplishing the objectives of the project? Your personal objectives?

I would give myself an A. I did everything I could and worked hard on various areas of my complete project. I feel bad because it seems that everything came down to the last minute but then I remind myself that I haven't been procrastinating and I just haven't had the time to do it. Thing are going good though.

This week we had yet more Annie practice! The show is coming along well! The kids have all their music memorized and know most of the choreography. They seem to be remembering the blocking too! This is all good because the show is three weeks away, ah! On Tuesday, they have to be off book entirely so that should be interesting. Then, we will learn just how much they know! I also did some interviews this week and they are going really well. I am learning so much about this organization and am really becoming attached to it. I feel like they are a very good connection that I am creating and I know for sure that I want to work with them in the future. I got the perspective of the kids and learned about what they wanted and then I got the perspective of the adult volunteers and why they are involved. As I said, it was very interesting and educational. So, all is going well!

I am just constantly amazed at what this organization is doing. They are giving children of all financial and ethical backgrounds a chance to change their lives by expressing themselves and they are doing this with almost no money! It just continues to amaze me!

I would have to give myself an A+, for several reasons. I always do what needs to be done at practice, this week was no different. In terms of accomplishing the objectives of the project, the main objective is to do the job of the stage manager to make sure the show happens. Yes, I have been doing this. Also, I figured out my interview questions and asked many individuals this week so I can get started on my papers. Also, personally, I was very good this week about staying on top of my homework and I was actually ahead for a couple of days...and what I grand couple of days those were!! Since this almost never happens for me, I think that I deserve a gold star for my accomplishments this week!

I attended more Annie Practice this week. Things are going well. The kids had to have all their music memorized this week and they did a good job with that. Also, a weekend anchor from an evening news show came to do a piece on the organization and the show. Not being from here and not watching the show, I am a little oblivious to how big this is but from what everyone else has said, apparently this is a big deal! The president said that this was the first time they have gotten news coverage and the piece is going to air right before the show so hopefully more will attend the show. I am excited for them and this opportunity.

I don't know if I necessarily learned anything this week. It was pretty much just a normal week of Annie rehearsal. Every week, my relationships with the kids continue to grow. I know that it is starting to weigh heavy on my heart the stress and responsibility of everything. I am confident that I can make it though. Only two weeks until spring break, three until the chapters are due, and five until my project is done. I can make it!

Again, I would give myself an A. I don't base this off of much because with my project, if I show up, do my duties, and try, I don't know where or how I could take points off. I have a pretty clear idea of what I have to do to accomplish my project and papers and I should be doing fine. Professor Rock and my site organizer and touched base so everything should be going good!

This week we had more Annie practice. The kids are learning their dances and songs and we are working on blocking. I am really getting into a grove with how things are done and I am enjoying it a lot. We have five more weeks until opening night! I don't know if I learned anything new this week. We just did rehearsal and I am growing with my connections between myself and the kids. I would give myself an A for my work this week. I have been doing everything that I need to and trying my hardest.

1. Description. What happened in your project this week? What did you do? Experience?

This week Annie practices started. I basically learned how to do the majority of my responsibilities this week. I unlock the performance space, call the kids who are missing after practices start, run errands, and record the blocking that we. I've already been "ripped out" by a mom so things are going well! :) (It was because I called her house to figure out why her son wasn't at practice and apparently I woke her up from a nap and she had a toothache.) It's been a lot of fun. The kids have been a lot more open and friendly then I figured and they seem to be used to working with people of all ages. I think the show is going to be really good!

2. Interpretation. What did you learn from your project this week? About the project? About the issue? About yourself?

It continues to amaze me how professional these kids are. They are still kids but they seem to listen better then the kids in my high school shows did. It's really funny, I was looking through the audition forms and like half these kids have headshots and better resumes then I do!  They are also really fun to be around. It's interesting to see how this is adjusting my attitude because between this and my job at the daycare, I spend like half my day with kids.

3. Evaluation. How would you evaluate your work on the project this week? What grade would you give yourself? Are you accomplishing the objectives of the project? Your personal objectives?

I was at practice all five nights this week. I worked really hard with learning my job and figuring out the ropes. It has been a lot of time and work so far and it was only week one (ahhhhhhhhhhh). Plus, I got yelled at by a mom just for doing my job. Thus, I would give myself an A! :)

Okay, so I was all set to start my project class this week but unfortunately no one signed up for the class so it is not going to happen! :( They did ask me if I would stage manage their production of Annie Jr. and I said yes. I will also help them build sets, construct costumes, and I will work with the kids on their characters. I am looking forward to this even though it will be a lot of work! I still need to figure out what my problem is and that kind of stuff and I am pretty scared for the remaining chapter papers but I'm sure it will all work out.

Practice starts Sunday.

Pray for me all! It's only day 5!!!!!!

Hello all!! I completely spaced it and didn't get my last journal in for tonight, AHHHHHH! Thus, I will just do a little sum of what will happen now. The past week was more or less hell for me and honors. I have never cried or stressed so much about the class and it seemed to be a different aspect every day. I attempted to do Chapter Two but my body was already tired from finishing a Theatre Final. Thus, I didn't get it done and I had to take an in-progress grade in honors. My Chapter Two is due by Christmas and my final "speech" is due on the first day of class next semester. In terms of work I plan to do over Christmas break, I plan to do some more background research on my organization, finalize and organize everything for my actual project, work ahead in Honors and my other classes, and set up everything for the months to come. You should all be excited because the next time I submit one of these, I will have met my students and will have started my project. Through the good and the bad, I am glad to be more or less done with this semester and I am looking forward to my project!

So, this week in Honors, I actually got stuff accomplished!!! YAY!!! I finally was able to meet with Jefferson so he could fill in the missing signatures on the contract. When we met, he also answered any questions I had about the project so I can actually plan it now and I know it is going to happen for sure!!! YAY!! I spent the rest of the time writing a summary thing for this brochure that will go out to all these Twin City families.