Masada

Today my family and I climbed Masada in Israel! I am not the best hiker, but I was determined to push through for the spiritual experience! Masada is such an important monument for the history of Israel and the Jewish people. I associate this experience with Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I faces a lot of challenges that day. First of all, I am not the best at hiking. Second, I had a very bad sinus infection that whole week. These challenges made it hard to climb the mountain. My sickness, plus the crazy altitude of the mountain caused a terrible pressure headache which made me have to sit down a lot over the course of the hike. It was also very windy outside, which made staying on track very difficult. Despite all of these challenges, I did what the learning outcome said and face new challenges and developing new skills! I developed skills of perseverance during the hike because these challenges made the experience hard, but I pushed through in order to see the beautiful view and landmarks from the top of the mountain!

Chicago Performance!!!!

Tonight we opened Chicago!!!! Not going to lie, we were all very nervous for the show for various reasons, but we really pulled it off. The morning before opening, I woke up with ZERO voice and I was scared that I wouldn't be able to sing. I did everything in my power to preserve my voice for the show! At school I drank a total of 6 cups of tea with honey and lemon and I had 3 bowls of chicken noodle soup and gargle a ton of apple cider vinegar which was NASTY but really helped! When if came time to perform, we were all nervous. Our nerves were so high we were shaking! Once we went   on stage we killed it! We sang and danced our hearts out. I didn't sing at my very best ability, but I did my best and that is what matters. I associated tonight with Learning Outcome 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions. I had to learn how to preserve my voice for the show even though it was so tempting to talk and break vocal rest. It was also hard to do the apple vinegar even though it was gross. I did it even though it gross because I knew I needed to have a strong voice that night! Im so proud of the whole cast and crew of Chicago!

Chicago Run Through

On Sunday at rehearsal for Chicago, we ran through the portion of the show that we have staged! We have staged most of the first act so far. The whole cast was very nervous because we were scared we were going to mess up or forget choreography. We decided that we were all going to meet up at the theatre early for rehearsal and practice all of the large dance numbers before we had to do them in front of the choreographer and the leads of the younger cast of Chicago so they could gain inspiration from the older cast and see where they could go with hard work and practice! We ran through the show twice and it honestly went very well. It was very long and quite exhausting because we were dancing for four hours straight, hut I felt really good after. I feel that this connects with learning outcome 1, identifying own strengths and develop areas for growth. I felt really good with my memorization of lines, lyrics and choreography, but I still need to work on feeling comfortable in my body when dancing and working on calming my nerves when singing a solo! Overall, I am excited to see this show come together! I will keep this blog updated throughout the process!!!

Dancing at Chicago Rehearsal

Today was our third rehearsal for Chicago. We finished the opening number and started learning the dances to the next two songs in the show. Dancing has never been my strongest suit. Out of the three components of musical theatre, singing, acting and dancing, dancing is my weakest. Chicago has really broadened my horizons in recognizing my dance skill. It has also allowed me to practice, grow and improve my dance skills in a safe and supportive environment. The dance style for Chicago, fosse, is very style specific and pretty technical. Although it is difficult, I am enjoying the process of learning and practicing this new style that I have never experienced. This connects to Learning Outcome #2, Demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I have struggled the past few weeks with learning the dance steps and keeping up with the choreographer, but I am learning and improving with time. I love learning new skills in an environment where I know I am supported and encouraged to step out of my comfort zone.

Chicago Callback

Today I had my callback for Chicago! I was excited to know that the director wanted to see me again after my audition. This boosted my confidence walking into the theatre for the callback. We were notified before that the callback would specifically highlight dancing, since the dance style for Chicago is so specific and technical. We began with the choreographer telling us to walk across the stage confidently to music, which is a lot harder than it sounds! I felt very confident afterwards! Next we learned a dance combination to the end of the most famous song from the show, All That Jazz. This was one of the hardest dances I had ever learned. Out of the three components of musical theatre, singing, acting and dancing, dancing is my weakest. Even though I was struggling with the technicality of all of the steps, I tried my best to let me personality shine through! By the end everyone was sweating and exhausted! This experience aligns strongly with Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I undertook the challenge of learning a new dance style and combination, but I learned the steps and tried my best to show style and personality! While dancing is not my strong suit, I tried my best and I was very proud of myself after. The fact that I did as well as I did even though I wasn't a dancer made me proud. I look forward to the casting process and learning my role. The rehearsal process is going to be exciting and different from anything I have ever done, but I am excited to learn from this new experience!!!!!

Walking at Camp

At summer camp, I had an hour off every day. I could do whatever I wanted with this hour and I would usually take it so sleep or watch television because it was the only time I had away from my campers to rest. Today I decided to use my hour to walk around camp to increase my step count and take some time outside to myself! I walk around camp all day every day, taKing care of my campers and walking to activities, but today I took time walking around camp to myself to think and reflect. It was a great experience, walking around with no stress and no place to go. I feel that this aligned greatly with Learning Outcome Number Seven: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions. I knew I could have taken my hour off to nap, which sometimes is beneficial, but today I took initiative and recognized what was best for me, my body and health and got outside and took some time for myself to walk around camp. I explored new paths and trails that I didn't know existed! I learned to analyze my body and mental state and do whatever is best for me in that moment! I hope to get my friends involved on their hours off and walk with me.

Carrie Dress Rehearsal

Last night I had my final dress rehearsal for my show, Carrie! My show opens tonight and I am super excited! If I have learned anything from the process of working on this show, I learned about working as a cast to create something special! From the directors, sent designers, musicians and cast, we all had amazing work ethics and ideas that we implemented to make the show the best it can be! This reflects learning outcome 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively. I am confident that the shows this weekend will go well because of all the hard work and dedication from everyone involved in the show!

Tulane Tour

Last weekend I went to New Orleans and Toured Tulane University! We flew in on Friday afternoon and left on Saturday evening so we only spent like 24 hours there. We toured campus and I loved it! Im glad that I am touring colleges ahead of time so I won't be stressed touring at the last minute! This aligns with Learning Outcome #4, show commitment to and perseverance in a fieldwork experience. I feel that I have been very committed to making the college touring and application process as efficient and smooth as possible! I really enjoyed Tulane and I am excited to potentially go back!

Rehearsal 4/29

Yesterday night I had rehearsal for Carrie. Our dress rehearsal is in 2 weeks so we had a lot to do! We need to finish blocking the show next week and as of last night we had about 20 minutes of the show left to block! Knowing we had minima time to block the show, the cast, crew and directors all worked together to learn and block material in an efficient manner. This aligns with learning outcome 5, demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively. We all deeply care about the show and want it to go as well as possible, so we all made a point to learn fast and work hard as a group to create high quality and meaningful show!

Choreographing for Theatre Fundraiser

Every year, the theatre I work with hosts a fundraiser performance to raise money for scholarships so students can take classes and perform at the theatre. This year, along with past years, I perform in this fundraiser, but this year my friend Mikayla and I were asked to stage and chpreograph and number for the younger kids. This is a leadership opportunity that really excited me because i love working with younger kids and I love to choreograph! So, Mikayla and I worked with these kids to stage their song and it looks great! This aligns with Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively. Mikayla and I had to collaborate and hear each other out and work to understand each other's visions and ideas! The fundraiser is this Saturdayand im excited to see the number on stage!!!!!

WinCon Nature Service

So, I am on the regional board for my youth group for Texas and Oklahoma and out most recent weekend on event was hosted in Houston, so I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me! I knew that for Saturday morning services, I wanted to plan something unconventional that gave participants a great experience, along with a taste of Houston. I decided to make the service a nature walk along Buffalo Bayou. I separated all of the prayers that needed to happen in the service and split them into five groups of two or three and assigned a teen and an adult leader to each group of prayers. I led the path along the bayou and located five stops that groups could stop  and recite or sing the prayers at. They day of the event. To me, this experience connected perfectly to Learning Outcome 3, demonstrate how to initiate and plan a fieldwork experience. Im very used to planning services in a conventional way at the temple, but this really pushed me to create a meaningful nd fun experience for all of the participants to experience services in a new way. So many people told me that they loved my service a lot and that they thought it was the highlight of their weekend! Im so happy with how my service turned out! Even though it was quite a walk and we were tired after walking even a little over a mile! Everyone had a great time Here are some photos from my nature walk service!

CAS- Walking over Thanksgiving Break

Over Thanksgiving Break every year I visit my grandparents in Burke, Virginia. Going there is a nice escape from living in such a big and loud city like Houston. Outside of their house is a kind of hidden trail that takes you through the back of the neighborhood, behind all the houses and through the trees. It is such a beautiful and kind of secluded trail, so I take the opportunity almost every day I'm there to take a walk by myself and take that time to reflect on my day and think about things I need to do and just really take that time for myself, since over Thanksgiving break, there are 10 people living at my grandparents house. I feel that my daily walk ties into Learning Outcome 4, showing commitment to and perseverance in a fieldwork experience. The consistency of my walks shoes commitment to
leading a healthy lifestyle and taking tome to myself to reflect.

CAS- Hair

For my fall production at the theatre I act at, we are doing Hair. Hair is a musical about hippie counterculture in the late 1960's. This show is different than any show Ive done because it feels so real. The entire cast in the show is a tribe and we all need to act accordingly. I am a person who loves blocking and a set plan, but this show has pushed me top just feel and connect with other people, which is just as, or even more powerful than staging effective and intentional blocking. This show has expanded my horizons and pushed me out of my comfort zone and has helped me improve a lot as an actor. To me, this experience aligns with learning outcome one, increasing awareness of strengths and areas for growth. I have been pushed during this process to challenge me physically, it has pushed my ways of thinking and pushed my thought processes. Even though Hair is set in the 60's it is extremely relevant today than ever. We are facing issues of social injustice now, that are very similar to issues that were occurring in the 60's. For example, the characters in the show are standing up for social beliefs by protesting at the pentagon, which parallels to recent events that are happening now in our supreme court, which are causing people to protest on the steps of the supreme court. So as I said, this show is using my physically. It is pushing my technique and acting and showing me places I can improve, but most of all it is pushing my mind and hopefully will bring an intense, but beautiful story form the 60's, back into today's generation and portrayed in a powerful and organic way.