It's finally official! On my birthday, September 20th, I received an email from Denny at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, Illinois offering me ensemble in their production of A Christmas Story!
It was probably the best birthday present ever, because it means I will have a performing job again until January 5th.
I am so excited to be a part of this production for two reasons.
One, I love the movie A Christmas Story. It is a family favorite that has played at my house every year during the holidays ever since I can remember. We have a leg lamp, wrapping paper, the trivia game, and too many ornaments of Ralphie in his pink bunny pajamas to count. My family quotes this movie all the time. (Yes, even when it isn't the holiday season.) A Christmas Story is also the last thing we watch on Christmas in my house. It usually runs 24 hours straight on AMC on Christmas Day, and as soon as we have finished dinner, on comes A Christmas Story. (It is also regularly seen in the background of my family's famous "Wrapping Paper Picture." We basically cover ourselves in the wrapping paper from the presents we open as if it were our blanket.) We really just love this movie.
Second, I will be working with Tony Parise, a director I have worked with twice as a child. He was my director for Bravo! On With The Show on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in 2004 as well as the director for the opening number of the 2005 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Both programs were done with Camp Broadway, a really awesome camp in New York City for kids interested in Musical Theatre. I knew he was the director when I auditioned for the show, but I didn't realize he would be at the auditions in New York when I went. I am so thrilled to be working with him as an adult after all of these years, it is sure to be a wonderful experience.
The best part about all of this is that I didn't even think I would be able to audition for this show. I had gone to an audition for a different show the day before, and had been called back the next day for an all day callback. On a lunch break, I took a chance and ran to the audition. Luckily, they had gone through most of the people they had in the morning and allowed me to walk right in. I cannot repeat it enough, but everything happens for a reason.
I'm so excited to be able to keep working, but even more, I'm excited to have more adventures to share with you.
This is only the beginning.
Meghan
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Hiking Mount Washington
So about the second day I arrived here, Nina, my housemate and fellow performer, asked me if I would hike Mount Washington with her. I thought, "Sure! Sounds like fun, I bet it will never happen, but sure!"
Well, let me tell you one of the many good things and bad things about the life I am currently living. The good thing is that you get to meet new people all the time. The bad thing, is that you never know what to expect from them.
Nina is an adventurer, thank God!, because she basically became my tour guide for the entire time I was here. She wanted to do anything and everything- and she brought me along for the ride.
So, September 25th, Nina and I woke up and decided to hike Mount Washington.
We started at one of our favorite breakfast places the White Mountain Cider Company to get sandwiches and coffee and get to the base of Mount Washington.
Nina decided that we were hiking the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up and the Jewell Trail down. Here's us, before the hike around 9am...
We finally reached a point where there was no clear path, only cairns (cairns are manmade rock piles) and paint on the rocks letting us know we were headed the right way.
After about 4 hours of climbing uphill, we reached the summit! Mount Washington's summit is the highest point in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 feet and is known for it's dangerously erratic weather. Learn more here.
At the top of the mountain, Nina and I ate some snacks, bought some souvenirs, took some pictures and began our descent.
We were taking the Jewell Trail down, a trail that is supposed to be much simpler and safer on our knees and ankles. We began our descent with the utmost confidence- we made it up the more difficult trail, down the simpler trail should be easy, right? Wrong!
We followed the cairns and painting on the rocks until suddenly, we reached a standstill. We couldn't find any more markings! Nina decided to hike down through the rocks, but we found nothing. We looked at the map, which wasn't much help, but we were stuck. In our back and forth confusion, we eventually found a sign that informed us that we had ended up on a different trail. We retraced our steps and ended up back where we were lost the first time. Out of desperation and with wide eyes, we found our paint marker! It was located down, but in the opposite direction of where we had descended the first time. The paint was white on a gray rock, and with the fog from the clouds, we had just missed it.
Now, an hour and a half off of our approximated route time, we had to rush down the Jewell or risk being on the mountain in the forest at dusk. We pushed ourselves and ended our hike right around 6pm. Here's what we looked like by then!
All in all, it was an amazing hike and experience. But I couldn't help relating everything to the craft I do. At first glance, theatre seems like an unachievable goal. But then, you're in it, journeying up and up with no end in sight. For a moment, it seems easy. But then, your body catches up with you and you need a break. By this time you think you should turn around, but now it's much too late. That's when you find you need mentors, cairns, to keep you on your way as you go; positive influences that can only put you in the right direction. Sometimes, there is no one to guide you. You feel lost and look for another way, when you realize, it was you all along. You had the work, technique, and the passion, you just needed to trust yourself and find your way.
Till the next adventure!
Meghan
Well, let me tell you one of the many good things and bad things about the life I am currently living. The good thing is that you get to meet new people all the time. The bad thing, is that you never know what to expect from them.
Nina is an adventurer, thank God!, because she basically became my tour guide for the entire time I was here. She wanted to do anything and everything- and she brought me along for the ride.
So, September 25th, Nina and I woke up and decided to hike Mount Washington.
We started at one of our favorite breakfast places the White Mountain Cider Company to get sandwiches and coffee and get to the base of Mount Washington.
Nina decided that we were hiking the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up and the Jewell Trail down. Here's us, before the hike around 9am...
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (or at least caffeinated) we began our hike. It was a cold, cloudy day, not the best day to hike the mountain, but we were determined and there was no going back. Initially, it was easy. The Ammonoosuc trail was beautiful. We hiked much of the trail next to water and we were having fun taking pictures and talking.
As we got higher, we past the treeline and it got increasingly colder. We added more layers we brought in our backpacks and trekked on. We passed the Lake of the Clouds and up, up, up we went. We were completely in a cloud.
Did I mention that there were signs and memorial plaques commemorating people who passed away along the trail? (Granted most were from the 1920's, but ominous, nonetheless.)
Did I mention that there were signs and memorial plaques commemorating people who passed away along the trail? (Granted most were from the 1920's, but ominous, nonetheless.)
We finally reached a point where there was no clear path, only cairns (cairns are manmade rock piles) and paint on the rocks letting us know we were headed the right way.
After about 4 hours of climbing uphill, we reached the summit! Mount Washington's summit is the highest point in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 feet and is known for it's dangerously erratic weather. Learn more here.
At the top of the mountain, Nina and I ate some snacks, bought some souvenirs, took some pictures and began our descent.
We were taking the Jewell Trail down, a trail that is supposed to be much simpler and safer on our knees and ankles. We began our descent with the utmost confidence- we made it up the more difficult trail, down the simpler trail should be easy, right? Wrong!
We followed the cairns and painting on the rocks until suddenly, we reached a standstill. We couldn't find any more markings! Nina decided to hike down through the rocks, but we found nothing. We looked at the map, which wasn't much help, but we were stuck. In our back and forth confusion, we eventually found a sign that informed us that we had ended up on a different trail. We retraced our steps and ended up back where we were lost the first time. Out of desperation and with wide eyes, we found our paint marker! It was located down, but in the opposite direction of where we had descended the first time. The paint was white on a gray rock, and with the fog from the clouds, we had just missed it.
Now, an hour and a half off of our approximated route time, we had to rush down the Jewell or risk being on the mountain in the forest at dusk. We pushed ourselves and ended our hike right around 6pm. Here's what we looked like by then!
All in all, it was an amazing hike and experience. But I couldn't help relating everything to the craft I do. At first glance, theatre seems like an unachievable goal. But then, you're in it, journeying up and up with no end in sight. For a moment, it seems easy. But then, your body catches up with you and you need a break. By this time you think you should turn around, but now it's much too late. That's when you find you need mentors, cairns, to keep you on your way as you go; positive influences that can only put you in the right direction. Sometimes, there is no one to guide you. You feel lost and look for another way, when you realize, it was you all along. You had the work, technique, and the passion, you just needed to trust yourself and find your way.
Till the next adventure!
Meghan
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Coming Soon: Fall in New Hampshire
As my contract at Idlewild was coming to a bittersweet end, I received an email from RWS and Associates.
I was offered a contract at Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire playing Alice in Wonderland!
The contract would last six weeks and I would be performing alongside a girl named Nina, playing Little Red Riding Hood. I would only performing on weekends and have the week off to do whatever I wished!
I was thrilled! Not only would I have another performing opportunity playing a wonderful character, I would be living in New Hampshire in the fall!
*Just a little background on myself for any of you who don't know, I originate from Florida, a place where fall never really comes. I spent most of my time in college in a city where fall was reachable, but never waiting for me outside my window. Fall is my favorite season because it has such a crisp, beautiful feeling in the air and New Hampshire would be the most beautiful place to enjoy it!
Just look at this tree changing right outside the Story Land gate! So much to look forward to!
More to come,
Meghan
I was offered a contract at Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire playing Alice in Wonderland!
The contract would last six weeks and I would be performing alongside a girl named Nina, playing Little Red Riding Hood. I would only performing on weekends and have the week off to do whatever I wished!
I was thrilled! Not only would I have another performing opportunity playing a wonderful character, I would be living in New Hampshire in the fall!
*Just a little background on myself for any of you who don't know, I originate from Florida, a place where fall never really comes. I spent most of my time in college in a city where fall was reachable, but never waiting for me outside my window. Fall is my favorite season because it has such a crisp, beautiful feeling in the air and New Hampshire would be the most beautiful place to enjoy it!
Just look at this tree changing right outside the Story Land gate! So much to look forward to!
More to come,
Meghan
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Unexpected Special Guest
So I recently shared this on my website, but I thought I would share it here as well!
Recently a friend who I met while performing at Idlewild and Soakzone sent me a video of a hilarious moment from the summer.
Recently a friend who I met while performing at Idlewild and Soakzone sent me a video of a hilarious moment from the summer.
This is a video of me as the character Demi singing "Give Your Heart A Break" in Camp Rockmore Talent Show at Idlewild.
As I remember it... I was starting out the song, everything was going as expected. We had a big audience that day, and we were all excited about it. As I started to get to the chorus people started laughing. I thought, "Okay, what's going wrong? My microphone was working, nothing was wrong with my costume, my wig was still on my head... Did I sing a weird note?" Now people are laughing hysterically, so I turn expecting to see a cast member pranking me, a set mishap, anything! But no, there is a toddler stealing the stage! I wanted to laugh so hard, but I kept my composure and did what my college professors would expect of me and... "Took the coaching."
I went to the baby and sang to her. If she was going to steal the scene, I ought to let her have it! She deserved it! This baby just adored the stage! I have to admit, I was the same way as a kid. If someone let me have the stage, you can bet they weren't getting it back!
The best part though, is seeing my cast members come back onstage after their quick change and finally realize what went wrong!
Enjoy this hilarious moment of live theatre!
Meghan
ps: Special thanks to Lisa and Kyleigh for filming this! I can't thank you both enough!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Summer 2013
Today we're going to do a little throwback to my time at Idlewild and Soakzone with RWS and Associates!
I was so lucky to be offered a contract at Idlewild for many reasons.
I was so lucky to be offered a contract at Idlewild for many reasons.
First of all, RWS and Associates is an amazing company and one I have wanted to work for quite some time. They take great care of their actors and the company is still growing. (Did I mention that they won an Emmy?) They continuously have amazing opportunities all over the country for their actors and I am so proud to say that I have worked with them not only once, but twice! (More on that later!)
Second of all, the contract I received was long and diverse. I had work and housing in my field for a solid four months. Additionally, got to perform three very different shows for very appreciative audiences every single day!
Last but not least, this cast was and is incredible. They are such a hardworking, loving, and creative team that anyone would love working alongside. We certainly had our ups and downs, but we put on amazing shows together everyday. (If I do say so myself!)
I miss singing and dancing alongside these crazy people!
Stay tuned for more adventures to come!
Meghan
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Just To Start Off...
Hi Everyone!
I've decided to create this blog to keep my friends and family in touch with my journeys post-graduation. So far I have been so lucky to being going on the adventure of a lifetime while doing what I love- and I would love to share that with you!
Till next time!
Meghan
I've decided to create this blog to keep my friends and family in touch with my journeys post-graduation. So far I have been so lucky to being going on the adventure of a lifetime while doing what I love- and I would love to share that with you!
Till next time!
Meghan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)