I've Still Got a Little Performer in Me

Tonight I saw Laughing Stock at Pioneer Theatre (and apparently feel like blogging about it more than sleeping). It was fantastic and hilarious.  It was a farce about summer theatre companies, the drama that happens backstage (and on-stage) when you put a bunch of actors together to put together three shows with very little time, money or resources.  It was absolutely hilarious, and heartwarming at the same time to see this group of actors pull together.

It made me miss performing, probably more than I'd like to admit.  There can be so much drama and craziness that happens on and off stage that can make it absolutely crazy (and perfect for a parody).  But there is also a certain camaraderie that comes from the hours of working together.  Sometimes I secretly wish that I was one of the actors in my classes and not the designer backstage.  Not very often, but sometimes.

I loved my acting days in high school and junior high.  I played Snow White in Into the Woods, Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest.  Those were some of my favorite roles and some of my favorite memories in high school.  Learning to tap dance in three inch heels, spending many hours memorizing lines and scrounging up costumes.  I loved singing and laughing in the dressing rooms before shows and the cast parties afterwards.  So many silly memories of my contact falling out of my eye on stage, or my mic being left on after I'd left stage and everyone could hear my conversation.  Just silly things, but it was fun.  I love the feeling of being a part of a group to create something wonderful.  I suppose I get to do that now with costumes, but it's different.  Most of the time the difference is good, but sometimes I wish I was on stage.

Me as a blonde Miss Dorothy

I'm on the left as Miss Cecily Cardew 

(I do quite love being called Miss Cecily or Miss Dorothy or Miss V)

A little bit of nostalgia for you.  But then that's what the play was about in a way. 

Les Belles Soeurs

Finally pictures from the show I designed last month!

 

Now, I didn't make any of these clothes from scratch - we didn't have a budget for it. But all the same, I'm pleased with how it turned out. It was quite an adventure hunting around school for clothes that could work or that I could alter. And this is the result! I'm also really proud of the girls learning how to do their hair in an appropriate late 60's do.

*I failed to give credit to the photographer, Michele Collins, who also did the lighting job.  What a multi-talented girl!

The Goodness People

Last weekend, I was reminded of the goodness of people.  So here are two stories.

The first I saw on the bus on my way to work on Friday.  The bus driver had pulled over to one stop and opened the doors and announced the route number.  A blind lady was standing there waiting for a bus.  She shook her head no and said she was waiting for the 200.  Another lady came over to her and said, "The 200 is right behind," and took her arm to lead her over.  It looked like they were complete strangers.  It just warmed my heart to see someone reach outside themselves to help someone they didn't know. 

The second story actually happened with me.  Last Saturday as I was at lunch with my Grandma and my sister I received a call from a number that I didn't know.  I answered it and this girl introduced herself as someone from my stake. 

She asked me, "Are you missing a black and white striped scarf?"

"Yes!" I said, surprised.  I'd misplaced my favorite scarf a few weeks ago and had sort of given up on finding it at this point.

"Oh good!"  She said, "I saw someone leave a scarf on the bus a few weeks ago and thought it was you.  I found your number through the stake website.  I hope you don't mind me tracking you down."

Of course I didn't.  I was very grateful to her that she would take the time to track down this girl she hardly knew to return a scarf.  People are such glorious creatures.   I'm grateful for the good examples of these people.  They make me want to be better and serve more generously.

Time Racing By

Lately I've been feeling a little behind.  Many people my age seem to be graduating, or going or coming back from missions, or married, or even mothers.  I'm doing none of these things.  Sometimes it has me wondering what I've done with my life.  And sometimes the speed at which time seems to race by scares me. 

But in the temple tonight, I was thinking about a conversation I had with my sister the night before and realized that life isn't meant to be raced through.  Sometimes we talk about it like it's a race, but its really not.  My time doesn't matter.  What matters is that I'm facing the right direction and keep steadily moving forward.  Which I certainly am.  And I keep growing and learning and doing my best. 

I need to make time my friend.  I need to love each moment and each experience. I must not compare myself with others.  Everyone has their own timing and experiences.  I am doing my best to follow the Lord and that is enough.  It has to be.  My times will come.  I will graduate.  I will serve a mission (although it may not be till I'm older and with my future husband).  I will marry.  I will be a mother.

 I am living my life the best I know how.  I do feel I'm having the experiences that the Lord had in mind for me.  That is what matters.  Not how fast I graduated, or how young or quickly I married.  What matters is that I am the best me I can be and showing the Lord that I will always put Him first. 



This makes me think of Elder Uchtdorf's talk from last General Relief Society Conference.  If you haven't read it in a while you should read it again.  It's fantastic.  How can you not love Elder Uchtdorf?

From Duck to Bird Feet

This week at work, I have been recovering duck feet to turn them into bird feet for the next show at school, Rare Bird. Last week, my costume design professor asked me if I felt up to recovering these duck feet:

She handed me some vinyl and some muslin and I set to work on my first draping project. For those who don't know, draping is a way of making patterns where you arrange and pin and cut fabric around a form and then turn it into a pattern. Here's a picture of my pattern. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture until after it was recovered, so it only vaguely shows the idea:

And here's the final product! Well almost finished, they still need to be painted blue.

It's been really fun and I've learned a lot about draping, working with vinyl, working with strong glues and much more. It's been a challenge, but a great learning opportunity and great for my portfolio, as my professor said. Most people start draping bodices or skirts, but for me, I started with bird's feet. My professor and I had a good laugh about that today : )

I really loved working on this project, as I do most of my sewing and craft projects. I'm so grateful that I've found my niche. But sometimes I get a little too wrapped up with it. After work I went to the temple and was reminded of what's truly important. How ever much I love costume design, sewing and creating beautiful things, that's not what matters most. What matters most is putting the Lord, family and relationships first.  I'm grateful for the temple, scriptures and good people who help me remember where my priorities truly lie.