the past couple of months and the upcoming year

Okay wow a lot has happened in my life.

I was an ensemble member/contributing composer to a show called Red & Black, which was written and co-conceived by Sheridan Merrick and Nick Hatcher. Based on Les Mis, it explores the themes present in that story and how we still experience them today. Meaning, we tackled police brutality, queerness, societal expectations and pressures, the cross section of our identities and families, and so. Much. More.

This show renewed my passion for theatre making. My cast felt like a family. I often wonder if I chose the right path with theatre. I often wonder about if what I’m doing is enough or if I can truly make a difference. And then I was a part of this show and I felt the beginning steps of this. After each show, there were no bows. Instead, we hosted talk backs and had guest speakers and created the space where we could actually talk about what’s going on, the reality, and what we can do to actually make changes. Activism is critical to the function of theatre, and it only ignited my passion and the whole cast’s passion even further.

I was then part of two workshops during the end of my semester. The first being for Since They Left: A Pied Piper Musical, which I had worked on twice before. In this workshop, I played Kurt, which was so exciting! The great thing about this show is that the cast is made up entirely of non-binary people and women, which allows me to play literally every gender in the show. More on this show later ;)

I was also part of the first worksop for BEARDS: A New Musical where I played Suzanne. This was another fun process to be a part of, as I love being a part of new work.

During the midst of all this invigorating and anxiety provoking business, I also started a job as a barista! This honestly has been so grueling, but so rewarding. I’m learning a whole new skillset, working on my people skills, and making friends with coworkers and honestly, it makes me very happy. I’m very happy and thankful to be working there.

That leads me to this summer. Basically all summer, I’ve just been working at my coffee shop. The plan was to just work and write. And well. I’m working. However, I’m not in the place I’d like to be with my writing. There’s a bunch of reasons for that, like the unavoidable imposter syndrome I feel every time I think about the possibility of my work ever being seen by human eyes. Which is silly. But oh so real. I’m currently working on intentionally scheduling time to write. I feel like the scheduling aspect would really help me. Also, reaching out to friends? It’s okay! And I need to practice getting more comfortable with that. Because it is something that requires practice. Practice practice practice.

Alright, now onto the coming months. This September, I will be in the first full production of Since They Left as apart of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. I am happy to announce that I will be playing Amara! I don’t have enough words to truly capture my excitement. Just trust me when i say that I am so incredibly excited. Rehearsals start up the first full week of August and I just wish that was now.

Then, In November, I will be in my school’s production of Hamlet, directed by the director of the Ira Brind School of Theatre himself, David Howey. I will be playing Rosencrantz and oh boy HOWDY I am THRILLED. I’ve really been craving work on Shakespeare in my life because the last time I actually worked on any Shakespeare was, and I’m embarrassed to admit it, the summer before my freshman year of high school. Yes. HIGH SCHOOL. WELL before I even had any inkling at all that this is what I wanted to do with my life. Dear God. I am so thankful a chance was taken on me. I’m so excited to put the work in and see what I’m able to do.

As for my class schedule, I somehow went from my originally planned 13 credits to 17.5. I’m taking another musical theatre writing class, another playwriting class, business of theatre, a professional prep class, ballet, dance auditioning, and my very first directing class!!! I’m getting extremely interested in work on the other side of the table in theatre. I’m also planning to take a dramaturgy class my last semester here at UArts. Also, I was told I’d make a good production planner because of my love for spreadsheets. I have no idea what the job entails, but nobody loves a spreadsheet more than I do and that’s a fact I will stand by.

There are other possible projects happening within the next couple of months that I don’t know of for sure, but that I hope workout. As usual with this field, everything is in a constant state of being up in the air. But for the most part, I am happy. I feel happy. I feel thankful. I feel grateful when things don’t work out. I feel ecstatic when things do. It’s all creating me to be a better person and artist, and I have to continue on believing that and working hard. I feel as though I’ve been slacking, but I feel like I’ll always feel that way, no matter how hard I’ve been working. The next few months will kick my ass, but I know it’ll be worth it.

Here’s to right now. Right now I am listening to the soundtrack of the Oklahoma revival. I am wearing PJ pants. I ate dinner, my bunny ate dinner, and I have a budget spreadsheet to update. I’m doing okay. My family is okay. My friends are okay. It’s all good. And I’m lucky.

With that, til next time- many blessings and much love to you. Let’s see how much my life changes til the next time I update!

xRiver