{24 Days of Thanksgiving=Day 6}

As I wrote "Day 6" I found myself so shocked about how quickly Thanksgiving was coming. 18 more days! The excitement is building :)

Today I am thankful for theatre. It is a huge blessing to be able to spend so much time with friends while preparing a show that will bring joy to so many people. Theatre is an outlet to express the personality of someone else, build character, find new friends and go deeper with the old.

While I love being onstage, I find the greatest excitement in working behind the scenes. I have been a part of so many shows in which I performed and I love it! Stage managing and being a part of the crew though is so much more fulfilling for me.

This week at school we had auditions for Hello, Dolly! I am stage manager so I get to help judge the auditioners and be a part of the decision making for the casting (of course Mrs. Anicia always has the final say :)) Thursday we have callbacks and the following week rehearsals will commence. I performed in Pride and Prejudice in April but that is the last show I have been a part of. It has been even longer since I stage managed. I am looking forward to this season of theatre and am so grateful I have this opportunity!

Come see the show when it is performed in February!

Oh the theatre, the theatre!

Wizard of Oz has come to an end. I have learned and grown so much through this production and it has been incredible to watch God work through each and every one of us.

After a week of ice/snow that canceled all of our rehearsals and caused us to postpone performances for a week, we were all a little out of our roles. God used that time though as a refreshing and restful week. A few of the cast members were sick and He healed them.

One afternoon before a performance one thing after another went wrong. 1) Miranda (who played Dorothy) was sick. 2) The dog playing Toto was hurt and we were told he was not coming 3) One of our makeup artists hurt her back and could not come 4) Everyone was fighting for energy and excitement for the show.

There were about 10 of us who are in the show sitting in the coffee shop, so Lexi pulled us together and asked if we would all just pray. We asked for healing, peace, and that He would work everything out for this show. It was an incredible and unifying time for all of us.

Mark 11:24

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

We believed that God would answer our prayers and guess what? He did. Within the next hour we got a call from the family who is letting us use the dog and were told he was able to come, a friend of ours was able to come help out with makeup in replacement of our other makeup artist, I got a text from Portia (who had no clue what was going on) with all these verses that related to everything we had prayed about, and Miranda told us that she was feeling so much better! God answers prayers.

That is not the only day of miracles for us during this performance. After the last performance, we always feast at CAIA. Well the eating and festivities were coming to an end and the some of the kids (all my friends in the show-everyone) had gathered outside in the field. I walked out of the annex and there they were worshipping and crying out to God. I quickly joined the worship circle and was overwhelmed with God's love. He worked in every single person's heart during this show and I was blessed to be a part of it.

I love what God can do even in theatre and that is one of the reasons I do it.

WIZARD OF OZ

Who: Center for Home Education

What: THE WIZARD OF OZ

When: February 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12 @ 7:30 p.m. and February 6 @ 2:30 p.m.

Where: Cottage Theatre, 5733 Watauga Road, Watauga TX 76148

Tickets: On sale now for $10, $8 for students and seniors

Reservations: 817.281.2293

More info: www.centerforhomeeducation.com

Story:

Based on the American Movie Classic of the same title staring Judy Garland, this production follows Dorothy Gale from her Uncle Henry's Kansas farm to the wonderful land of OZ. See all the beloved characters: the Scarecrow, Tinman, Cowardly Lion as well as Munchkins, Ozians, Jitterbugs Monkeys and Winkies galore, including a witch or two and a real live Toto too! "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" Be a good one! Come out and support our student cast of "thousands!"

Featuring:

Camille Abelanet, Nicolas Abelanet, Janae Bontrager, Reighley Carlson, Ethan Carrigan, Hannah Carrigan, Elizabeth Chastain, Joshua Chastain, Benjamin Coan, Christopher Coan, Grace Coan, Andi Fredricks, Evan Glazier, Jacob Graham, Abigail Hines, Joy Hines, Avery Johnson, Miranda Kaplan, Emily King, Abby Mccarty, Erin Pellet, Lindsey Quiggle, Blake Redwine, Bradley Schuldt, Tanner Schuldt, Lydia Spaun, Carisse Sutton, Katy Sutton

Crew:

Lexi Cox, Jessica Hardy, Ashtyn Carrigan, Brandon Redwine, Rachael Wimmer, Alicia Sutton, Aishah Baber, Mimi Baber

WIZARD OF OZ

The cast list is now up and rehearsals have started for Wizard of Oz!! I am growing more and more excited about being a part of this musical with my friends. It is going to be an awesome experience and another step in performing for me. I am playing a few different chorus roles so I will get to be doing a lot of dancing and some singing. I have not been in a musical since Cinderella (in 2007). I have not been brave enough to audition for a musical since Cinderella (I'm surprised I even did then). Now I did it and am trusting God to help me grow in my acting abilities and strengthen my voice. =)

The performances are not until February, but please come see it! I will post dates when it gets closer! :)

I Can't Believe It!

I am trying out for a musical. Wizard of Oz is the next production at our theatre and after a few years of doing theatre and a semester of voice lessons, I have built up enough courage to audition. I am not expecting a certain part. I am just excited to possibly (I still have to audition) be a part of a musical because I know it will be fun no matter what. =)

I'll give an update when I know more!

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown

Please come see the Cottage Theatre's next production! It is so funny. I know everyone will enjoy. Little kids will probably even be able to sit through it. =)

Who: Center for Home Education

What: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Musical Comedy)

When: May 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 @ 7:30

Where: The Cottage Theatre, 5733 Watauga Road, Watauga 76148

Tickets: $10/$8

Reservations: 817.281.2293

Story: It’s just an average day in the life of Charlie Brown. Actually, it’s really a day made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine's Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together on the string of a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.

Featuring: Bethany Ahles, Kaitlin Bledsoe, Ashtyn Carrigan, Ethan Carrigan, Elizabeth Chastain, Benjamin Coan, Christopher Coan, Grace Coan, Megan Daws, Brian Haywood, Miranda Kaplan, Emily King, Denton Latham, Alex Palla, Bradley Schuldt, Tanner Schuldt, Shelby Skomer, Alicia Sutton, Benjamin Vallance, Annie Vaughan

Crew: Hannah Carrigan, Maggie Monck, Kinsey Peresh & Jake Etheridge

Directed by Anicia D. Brown

For more information go to: www.centerforhomeeducation.com

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown

I am so excited for this next play. Although I love acting and being in the play, it is going to be nice to have a break from that and switch to the role of stage manager. We have only had a few practice but I love every minute of it! This play consists of about 6 main characters and then a chorus.supporting roles of about 12. Smaller...which I like! =)

Charlie Brown - Chris Coan

Schroeder - Bradley Schuldt

Linus - Tanner Schuldt

Lucy - Alicia Sutton

Sally Brown - Bethany Ahles

Snoopy - Miranda Kaplan

Those are the main roles in this show. Ashtyn and Ethan are both in it and lots of my other friends!

Follow the link from the title of this post for dates and times...I will also post when it is closer to time. :)

Life:)

It's crazy how busy life can get. It is really easy to just get caught up in the events and school and everything going on. That is the time I find, though, that God can speak to me the most because He just makes me stop and think about all the things I have to be grateful for and remind me why I am here. It makes me excited and just encourages me to love without condition.

So speaking of being busy, here is what's been going on in my life since Sleeping Beauty ended and Charlie Brown started!

I have mainly been busy with school. Even though it's still a lot, I have been able to manage it a little better this semester and am not always doing it. Also if something comes up that I might have to miss doing school, I have it controlled enough that I can do that. Like the past two snow days. :) I will have to play a little catch up, but it isn't too bad and definitely worth it!

This next weekend our very close friend(and neighbor), Jimmy, is getting married. It's going to be a lot of fun and I am so excited for him. They(his family) lived in Georgia a lot so there are quite a few people coming from there that will be staying across the street(where his parents live), another friend's house, or with us. It's going to be an exciting week! The Bailey's(a family of 7 - I have only met Timmy(the oldest), but am exciting about spending time with the rest of them) are staying over here. Jimmy's three older sisters are already married and are coming from Georgia and Maryland so they will be here too and that will be lots of fun. I miss them! Holley and grandma(Grammy's mom-Jimmy's grandmother) actually already got here on Tuesday so I have been having a blast with Holley!

That same weekend my brother has college theatre auditions for ACU, so he will miss the wedding, but it's still exciting for him! I can't wait to hear how they went..be praying for him! =)

So those are pretty much the biggest things going on right now...the snow day post will be coming soon. :)

The End and The Beginning

20 rehearsals, 7 performances and lots of partying with about 30 amazing people = an amazing production of Sleeping Beauty! In some ways I can believe it's over and sometimes it's hard to believe. We have so much fun together and make memories to last a lifetime and just don't want it to end. Although, the tiring performances with little sleep at night(yes, all worth it) does become a lot and makes us glad for a break. I had a blast with every single person who made this possible and can't wait until the next show...which would be You're A Good an Charlie Brown!

Auditions were Monday and Wednesday..they went really well. Callbacks were scheduled for Friday but now are postponed until Monday..due to this beautiful snow! I am stage manager for this show so I get to be a part of the behind the scenes work. I'll update when decisions have been made! :)

Sleeping Beauty!

The Cottage Theatre's performance of Sleeping Beauty is right around the corner. Please tell all your family and friends about it. Thanks for your support!

Who: Center for Home Education

What: Sleeping Beauty of Loreland (Comic Fairy Tale)

When: January 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30 @ 7:30 p.m. and January 24 @ 2:30 p.m.

Where: Cottage Theatre, 5733 Watauga Road, Watauga TX 76148

Tickets:$10/$8

Reservations: 817.281.2293

Details:

Similar to the traditional story but with a twist! There are nine fairies instead of just three, there are actually two princes, everyone falls asleep and the thicket fights back!

Featuring:
Camille and Nicolas Abelanet, Kacie Asper, Janae Bontrager, Ashtyn, Ethan, and Hannah Carrigan, Elizabeth Chastain, Joseph Cohen, Portia Cox, Jake Etheridge, Andi Fredricks, Miranda Kaplan, Emily King, Michael and Robert Molina, Haley Morris, Sarah Pollock, Blake and Brandon Redwine, Kelley Smith, Benjamin Vallance, Max and Saryn Vrij
Crew:
Lexi Cox, Kinsey Perish, Alicia Sutton; Stage Manager: Maggie Monck

Red Fairy!

The cast list is now posted for Sleeping Beauty! I am the red fairy. This is going to be a fun play!

Sleeping Beauty Auditions

Auditions for Sleeping Beauty were on Monday! They went okay, definitely not the best I could have done but it was fun. Last night I got a call that I made it into the cast! Callbacks are this afternoon and we will know our parts by Friday! =)

Snow White!

Today started our first day of the 2 week theatre camp of Snow White! Auditions went well. One funny part is when anyone trying out for the witch or Enviana (the step mom) had to go up on stage and show our "laugh". I think I can speak for all of us when I say we looked like we were making fools of ourselves. =) So Ashtyn (my younger sister), Ethan (my younger brother), and I are all waiting patiently(yeah right...checking our e-mails every 5 minutes) to see the character list! I will probably post a short blog on the results soon!