My entire life has always been about entertainment I used to sing to myself around the house as a toddler and my parents would encourage me to sing at family gathers. As I grew older, I knew I had to have a life as a performer. Hollywood has never been as attractive to me as most; I always wanted a life on the stage! There was something classic and elegant, yet exhilarating and sexy about performing in front of a live audience. There's "an element of danger," as a favorite acting teacher always said, about being an actor on a stage. There's always a risk and the stakes are always higher... an adrenaline junkie would understand!
When I graduated with a BA in Theatre, I decided to share my knowledge with children. Though I haven't always liked children, they have always seemed to like me! Even when I was an irritable teen, I couldn't get kids to stop looking up to me! So, as an adult with a new-found joy for being around youth, I earned my CA Single Subject Teaching Credential so I could teach Drama, Theatre Tech, and direct youth in the theatre and help develop their own appreciation for the performing arts. I still get a wildly satisfying sense of accomplishment when the wave of enlightenment and astonishment lights up in children's eyes. "She's got it! By god, I think she's got it!"
About 6 months ago I auditioned for a professional children's theatre company. Being an actor, I always get fidgety when I've been in one location for too long. A mentor of mine who taught me at a summer conservatory suggested the company to me. Since I've got nothing but love and respect for this woman, I took her advice. I have now worked for the California Theatre Center for 4 weeks as one of their newest Actors and Education Associates. "Education Associate" is a new title they offer at the company because they're trying something new. CTC used to have one Education Coordinator, but this year they're trying out a Committee, or Education Team, of qualified company members to coordinate the Education Department. On our team, we have a former student of the company, now an adult and ready to help the company that helped develop her skills and comprehension of the stage. There's a director and teacher who has traveled the world acting and curriculum writing on board as well. Finally, they have a young, but experienced actor who taught in a middle and high school for 3 years, has a CA teaching credential, and an award signed by the state superintendent for leadership and accomplishment in the classroom.... Me!
So, now that you know more about me, I can explain the title to this blog. This company goes on tour for a few weeks, taking a show to a variety of audiences. We leave next week to tour the west coast, starting in Oregon, and ending in Southern California. Going on this tour is a versatile group of actors, some of which have been with the company for over 20 years and some who are fulfilling an 8-week contract and will soon return to their home state on the other side of the continent! I have never been on tour before, so you can imagine how attractive and romantic the idea is. I will be blogging and posting photos of my trip as much as possible, so stay tuned for updates :)
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