Remember that time when I graduated?!

So I gratuated from BYU in April! Wahoo! Here are some pictures of the most wonderful people who have supported me all the way (and some of the way) through it! 

It's amazing to think of all the countless papers I have written, tests I've taken, or all-nighters I have pulled! 

(Because even after four years of college, I never really learned how to avoid procrastination!)

I had the greatest professors that inspired me to do my best and I learned so much that I will take with me for the rest of my life! (The social life was pretty awesome, too!)  

Looking back, the only thing I would have done differently would have been to take more classes and be even more involved!

 There are things I will miss, but somehow I think I will be able to move on! 

I just can't believe it is all over. It all happened so fast; I don't really know what to do now!  It's kinda overwhelming!

Now that As You Like It is over, it is amazing how much time I have to do things such as:

- have a husband

- do my homework

- shower

- relax

- clean the house (kinda, not really yet)

- spend time with family & friends

*It's kinda like coming off a moving sidewalk/escalator, and returning to normal speed....crazy!*

Although, this week is completely dedicated to finishing all my final projects and such. This semester I don't have ANY finals to take. Which means that by the last day of school (TUESDAY) I will be FINISHED! Wahoo!

Opening Night!

AS YOU LIKE IT OPENS TONIGHT!!! 

(Kinda) 

*It is our first night with a ticketed audience, but it is still considered a dress rehearsal, or preview night.* 

I'm so excited! 

I have many family members coming tonight and tomorrow! (But if you still need tickets, let me know!) 

Here is a little sneak peak into the production! These pictures were taken by Mike Handley at last night's dress rehearsal. Just take a moment to take in the beautiful designs! The costumes, set and lighting are just so awesome! 

(And even though they are not showcased in these pictures, the prop and sound designs are fabulous as well!)

"I love a warm pig belly for my aching feet"

I feel like I slept through February. Is it really the middle of March?!

Where to begin? Well I did read a couple books for fun recently. I finally got around to reading The Alchemist. It was pretty amazing. It reminds me that everything happens for a reason, and the choices we make hold greater purpose than we can see presently. You should read it.

Blood Wedding opened last week! I completed the lobby display just in time (kinda). I printed out a few Surreslist prints and put them up on the walls for people to enjoy. They look pretty swell, if I do say so. The other part of the lobby display is a video clip of a Flamenco dance version of Blood Wedding. But this part has been pretty much a nightmare to work out. There has been much miscommunication and just general  mis-doing going on that has made this a crazy ordeal. But I figure it's only 2 more weeks, and I can handle it until the show closes. *But just so you know, it looks pretty awesome when it is all working correctly!*

Also, I recently received a pretty generous compliment on my study guide, which has kept me smiling for a while. (Not that I'm trying to pat myself on the back here or anything...) Speaking of, you can read my study guide here, if you are interested.

I am also working on As You Like It right now, and we are about to move in to Tech Week! (The exclamation point is an expression of excitement as well as anxiety.) The show is really coming along! I cannot wait to see it all in full swing, with lights, costumes, makeup!!! I pretty much love everyone in the cast! They are wonderful!

Again, if anyone wants some tickets to Blood Wedding or As You Like It, let me know!

(Or you can purchase them online at BYUarts.com)

Also, I'm GRADUATING this April!! So weird, but totally thrilling! I registered for my cap and gown last week! I feel so grown up & accomplished! I'm also hoping that by the time I graduate I will have a job, or an inkling of what I will be doing this summer. I'm still somewhat in the dark about what to do. I have some ideas and goals, but we shall see...

Andrew and I went to see this lovely movie this weekend.

 I loved it. I love that Tim Burton makes quirky, beautiful movies that are so entertaining to watch! I just kept thinking how much fun it would have been to design the costumes, hair & makeup for this movie! Also, how much I would love to be a part of Tim Burton's production clique!

*However, I don't think my eyes agree with 3-D movies*

Afterwards, Andrew & I ran home to begin reading Lewis Carroll's original Alice in Wonderland!

Sorry this was a long post. Perhaps I should have split it up a bit.

This Semester....

So this semester I am only taking 8 credits, which is AMAZING! I've never taken less than 15 credits in a semester before now, so this is quite a treat! Also, as already mentioned, I love my classes! This semester I am taking:

Stage Management: I'm learning all about organizing and running a show! Also a part of this class requires me to assitant stage mange a mainstage show at BYU. So, I am one of the two ASMs (our technical term for "assistant stage manager") for As You Like It! It is so much fun! The cast is amazing and the show is going to be fabulous! It is pretty much going to consume all of my evenings from now until the beginning of April! If you are interested in seeing the show it runs March 17th - April 2. Let me know and I can get you some tix!(which is "tickets" in the theater biz)

Dramaturgy: I'm still working on my dramaturg work for Blood Wedding. Which means that I wrote the study guide inserted in the program, and I'm in charge of the lobby display! That show opens on March 3 and I'm so excited to see it! It will be so beautiful! Again, if you need tix, let me know!

Tap Dance: This is my "Yay! I'm a senior and I want to take a fun class" class! I have never tap danced before now, but I dare say, I am pretty dang good! And it is so much fun! I decided to take the class after I found a pair of perfect tap shoes at DI for $8! (by perfect I mean, look like they have never been worn & fit me like a glove!) Maybe I'll give a private recital sometime....haha

Contemporary Performance Practices: This is the class that I refered to previously where we performed our slam poetry! I'm really enjoying this class. We are learning about ....well....contemporary performance practices (hence the name)....I love it!!

I love my major

Perhaps I should feel a little shamed when people scoff at my being a theater major. But I don't. 

Because being a theater major totally rocks! 

This week in my contemporary performance practices class, we learned about Hip Hop culture, Hip Hop theater, got down with the B Boy style, and Krumped it up! We created our own grafitte tags, and (secretly) posted them around the HFAC! And today, we held a Slam Poetry contest. Most of the material shared was original work, and it was awesome! 

I love being a theater major. 

Also, this woman  is AMAZING!

So because we are kinda poor these days, we do not currently have internet at our place, which isn't too big of an inconvenience, except when it is. For example, it has become quite a problem on nights when I need the internet for homework (which is often) and it is too late to go to the library or other places that so kindly host free Wi-fi! But that is a different story, entirely.
Anyway, with finals currently taking place this week, and the library being super full, I have found a new place to study and work! Hidden away behind the many shelves of books and magazines, there is a cute little Seattle's Best Coffee cafe in Borders. I have found this such place bring great comfort in reading and working there. The atmosphere is just so cozy! I usually warm up with a hot chocolate, or chai latte and can stay for hours. (And they constantly play Christmas music, which I love!) Is this sad? Perhaps.
When I'm here, I spend about 5 hours on average, during which I see plenty people coming in and out. These people range in all different races, ages and styles. They all seem, for the most part, like people I would like to get to know. With my recent experience with The Zoo story, combined with sitting in the coffeehouse has made me think about why we isolate ourselves in public. Why do we put up our guards and keep our distance from strangers? Are there relationships and experiences we are opting out of because we don't want to step outside of our comfort zone? And what could we be bringing to other people by simply offering a smile and small conversation?
I think this is something I would really like to work on personally. Maybe this could be my New Year's resolution for 2010: To allow myself to be more comfortable engaging with people I do not know. Because when you think about it, all of our current friends and family members were at one time strangers.

my love and life for the past couple months

I have successfully finished directing my first play! It is a pretty good feeling, I'm not going to lie. The process was pretty exhausting both emotionally and time-wise. (hence why I haven't blogged in a month!) But through this process I have learned so much about myself as an artist and person, and how
"...sometimes it's necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly."  

After each show, there was a talk back session. As people told what they saw in the show and how it affected them I was so surprised at how different each person's experience was. (This is one of my greatest loves with art and theater: There is no one correct answer.) Listening to their thoughts and responses about the show, was when I really felt success. I hope that their exposure with the play has become a learning experience. I just want to share a quote from the playwright himself:

"One must let the play happen to one; one must let the mind loose to respond as it will, to receive impressions, to sense rather than know, to gather rather than immediately understand." 

-Edward Albee

This is why I'm crazy.

So lately I have been doing the most absent minded, crazy things.
Exibit A: This morning after driving to campus, I locked my keys in my car. Not only were my keys locked inside, but also my backpack with EVERYTHING that I so desperately need for school today. So now, I am waiting for Andrew to come save me so that I can actually work on homework instead of blogging...

Now, this is not the first time I have locked myself out of something this semester, however! About a month or so ago, I locked myself outside our apartment in my pajamas and awful bed hair. (you see, we have a lock on our handle where when it is locked, you can still open the door from the inside, but not the out.) Despite my best efforts to climb onto our balcony, I was unsuccessful. Our neighbor (that I met for the first time right then) graciously let me use his cell phone to call Andrew to help me!
Things such as this keep happening to me, and every time it makes me feel so crazy!

So it's been a while....

I cast my show! I'm SOOO very excited. I pretty much can't wait to start rehearsals!

I'm super busy. There is no way I can keep up with my LOADS of school work, find time to relax, have fun, and keep the house nice and tidy...so one of those areas is suffering a little more than usual. Let's just say, it's a good thing we don't have company over often...

This weekend was so much fun, but I will post separately about that later. For now here are just some random thoughts I've been thinking lately, in case you care.

1. I hate how parents will offer their kids an certain amount of money if they will just not have a wedding reception. It's like saying "Hey, we don't want to put the effort into making your most important day memorable." (Sorry if anyone's parents have done this.) I just think it's kinda selfish on the parents' part. If the kids want money rather than a reception, they will probably ask for it, or think of it themselves. That's all.

2. It's always been so fantastical to imagine living in a castle. Well today I found out that castles are apparently very cold... I don't think I would like that very much.

3. I don't think I like the new "No Shhhh" zone in the Library. I liked it better when I could curl up in the semi-comfortable chairs and take a nap in the sun.

4. I'm so excited for Christmas in Portland this year! And I'm so excited to start my Christmas shopping/making!

5. How does one such as myself eat an entire box of Cheese-its in one day?!?!

6. I miss this little guy.

BYU again!

So, yesterday was the first day of my Senior year in college. It's pretty strange to think about that, really. I don't feel like I've had enough learning and experience to be a senior yet! It kinda makes me want to hang around BYU a little longer....just kidding!

I am really excited about my classes for this semester though! I'm just so happy to finally be taking only the classes in my major and the electives I choose! Even though I have a pretty full schedule, I am way excited for every single class! This semester I am taking:

TMA 395 - Dramatic Literature
        (I took the other half of it last Winter and learned SO much!)
SFL 185 - Basic Clothing Construction 
        (I will finally learn all the real techniques of sewing!)
TMA 262 - Costume Design
        YAY!
REL 234 - LDS Marriage and Family
         (The last of my religion courses, but it will be fabulous!)
TMA 436 - Advance Directing Principles
          This is the class where I will direct my own short play!!
TMA 485 - Intermediate Dramaturgy
          This is where I will do research upon research about Lorca's Blood Wedding


Perhaps none of this means anything to you, and that's alright. But I just love getting excited about school!

As of today

I am officially a senior in college.

weird.

In case you are wondering...

I still have no idea what I am going to do with my life this summer.

I am still waiting to hear back about the American Theater Wing internship in NYC! I called them today and they said that they still haven't reached a decision. I really really really hope that I get this internship because it would be an amazing opportunity for me to gain experience in administration work, live in the city, and get acquainted with famous theaters and people! What's not to love?

What is the most difficult thing about i, is just not knowing. Even if the answer is no, I want to have an answer. It freaks me out that I don't have a plan. And I can't make a plan because I don't know anything.

So, I wait.....

In the meantime I am trying to plan my summer as if I will be in Utah. Here is my plan so far:
1. Work part time at the ticket office
2. Do an internship at the Covey Center or just get really involved in some shows
3. Work part time at Victoria's Secret
4. Take a few classes (but not full time)
5. Go to concerts: possible festivals include Sasquatch, Bumbershoot, Summerfest
6. ROADTRIP!
7. Lagoon

I have decided that even though I could graduate in December, if I stay in Utah for the Summer, I won't. I want to give myself a little off time from school, and I also want to make sure I get to take all the random elective classes I want to take before I graduate. Also, I hear it is harder to get a job right after Fall Semester, as opposed to after Winter semester. And I'm not quite ready to quit being a student just yet.

Those are my thoughts as of late.

Yesterday

-Woke up at 7 AM

-Woke up sickly (congested sinuses & swollen lymph nodes)

+Got a ride to school

+Ate a fabulous breakfast

-Spilled egg yoke all over my jacket

-Took my lighting final

+Went to work

+Secured a part-time job for the spring & summer in the ticket office

-Stressed about my dramatic literature paper that was due at 5

-Wrote my paper

-Turned my paper in late

+Got a FREE water bottle!

-Left my lunch locked in refrigerator at work

+Went to Utah Flash game

-Suffered from monthly cramping & hunger

-Spilled honey all over me

-Woke up at 3 AM to let my roommate into the house

All things considered: It was a pretty good day.

Cha..cha..changes

Everything in my school/work life is completely up in the air! I have NO idea how things are going to happen - which is scary. I'm going to map out my options, for my benefit, and for you because I'm just sure you care!

1. Go to New York for a super awesome summer internship (that I haven't been offered, yet). Then take Fall and Winter classes at BYU, and graduate in April, as I have planned for the past few years.

2. Go to Dallas/Nashville for an internship for the Summertime. And proceed with school as planned - graduating in April.

3. Stay in Provo for the Summer. Take classes during the Spring, Summer, & Fall semesters, then go to New York for an internship during Winter semester. Still graduating in April, as previously planned.

4. Stay in Provo for the Summer, take classes during Spring, Summer & Fall semesters and graduate in December! Then later go to New York to live, work and play!

Problems:

*All of my plans are a little scary to me in different ways.

*Plan #4 would mean I would have to suddenly 'grow up.'

*Plan #4 would also mean that I would have to find a new job, because my schedule does not fit with the work schedule at the ticket office...not that getting a new job would be a bad idea...I could find a new job with better pay...if I could find a new job.

*I hate making decisions.

*I have to make a decision.

I just realized...

I could graduate in DECEMBER!

A Tribute to the Ticket Office

So for my directing class, we had to direct an original 2 minute scene. I decided to take my daily frustration from dealing with ridiculous people, and mold it into a scene! So the scene is a compilation of the most silly things people have said/done at the ticket office window. My group is totally fabulous and practically perfect! This is just a little amateur video of the scene. Everyone loved it (to say the least...)! And we have plans to perform the scene at our work meeting next week!

Check it:

Busiest Week Ever!

This week is going to be CRAZY! I have so many project, papers, etc. to work on this week. Classes end in two weeks and then there are finals. But this semester, I don't actually have to take many finals. I just have projects and papers, etc. due BEFORE the last of class. Stressful? Yes, ma'am. Anyway, I do want to blog about Allison and Ari's visit to Utah, and about the festival of colors, and other things. However, blogging is going to have to take the back burner this week, just so I can get caught up and make those sparkling grades to bring my GPA up!

Also, I had an interview on Monday morning with Women's Project at 10 AM. I forgot about the time difference and she called at 8AM!! I'm just so thankful I did not answer the phone in a sleepy-Julie way. Somehow, I slept through the ringing, just enough to wake up at the end and notice a missed call. I was then up and called back. I think the interview went alright. Even though I was still slightly jarred. 

I have another interview tomorrow morning with Primary Stages! We shall see...

Update

School
*I really am enjoying my classes and my homework this semester. I actually feel that I am learning. And not only learning, but gaining knowlege that I know I will use in my (almost) daily life.
*I want to read more plays

Work
*The ticket printer at work freaked out on me today and began printing only every other ticket. It was quite frusterating and took a good 15 minutes to fix!
*I gave plasma agian today and got lightheaded three different times! (I think it was because I didn't drink enough water yesterday) My first experience was much better. I'm not sure how long this "second job" is going to last....

Internship
*I'm waiting back for some letters of recomendation to send out my resume and applications. I'm starting to get really nervous about not being accepted into an intership. Also, even if I get accepted to a couple of them that are unpaid, I probably won't be able to go because housing alone costs $3000!
*There is an intership at the Manhattan Theater Club that I desperatley want! It looks absolutley fabulous.

Fun
* Shawn and Shawn are out of town for a week 1/2 so Kathleen and I are taking care of Lincoln over weekend! I'm going to spend the weekend in Salt Lake: playing ball with Lincoln, taking him to the zoo, and showing him off to Andrew's family. I'm so excited. He's getting so big, so fast.

Procrastination

I should not be trusted with a computer with an internet connection when I have homework to do. I have an assignment due tomorrow which I "started" about an hour and a half ago. (I only have my heading and title completed thus far.) The crazy thing is, I have NO idea what I have been occupying my time with! A little bit of blogging (clearly), a tad bit of Facebook, looking up random artists and facts, corresponding with my email buddies, and complaining about the assignment to fellow students. Logically, procrastination makes no sense. However, I have a theory: If I did not procrastinate, I would have no time to do such web browsing and connecting with friends. When I do not put a project or assignment off to a later date, I spend my time afterward either sleeping, eating, reading or watching movies. Now, not that these aren't wonderful things to do, (obviously they are because I spend my extra time doing them) it's just that if I don't procrastinate, I don't find time for the smaller things as listed above. I don't regard the time I spend procrastinating as 'extra' time, because it is not extra at all. It is cutting into the time I should be spending on homework, projects, etc and then cutting into my so called 'extra' time. So I've now designated my procrastination time to be 'browsing' time, if you will. Therefore, procrastination is healthy when it promotes stretching your brain, connecting with friends, and sometimes relaxing from a stressful day. Although, it is always important to remember that I must finish the project eventually. Speaking of which ...