WAHOO

Guess who was accepted to Cambridge??  

THAT WOULD BE ME.

Hey ho - let's go

Busy busy busy.  Who would want it any other way?

Today was the most exciting day.  I had my interview at Cambridge for the MEd program at the Faculty of Education.  I felt so comfortable in the building and loved the atmosphere.  I have my fingers crossed, and I'm looking forward to the results.  I could be a Cambridge girl!!

Tomorrow is another big day - auditions for the Lynn Players "Witches of Eastwick."  I have the dance and the American accent down.  I only need to work on the LAST LINE of the audition song.  Being a soprano has never been so tough.  

Erin comes in to Gatwick Sunday!  Hendo and I are leaving Lynn at about 4:30 to pick her up.  She'll have a nice snooze - we'll be singing at the top of our lungs in order to stay awake.  With the first half of summer term concluded next week, I'm wrapping up my lesson plans this week, and I'm super enthused about Ronner taking over my classes.  Let's she how she fares with them... 

Looking forward to half term madness -- playing tourist in London!  Watch out - TWO McManus' on the loose!  With a Henson!

Not afraid....anymore

What a past few weeks. My respects go out to those who have directed plays/musicals. Wowsa... "Two" opened up Wednesday and closed on Friday. Although it's one of those minimalistic plays, it was a heck of a lot of work.

The show takes place in a bar and is meant to have two actors play all of the characters that come in and out of the bar during the evening. I had nine actors - sixth form students - only one of which studies drama. They worked hard, learning huge monologues and duologues.

In the end - their performances were great. Excellent talent and excellent runs.

The downside? Very poor support from the students and staff at KES. Parents? Come on, England. You have to have a bit more school spirit than that. We did raise some money for the hospital, but not enough. We can do MUCH better than that for the next show.

The only downside to the wave of relief of "Two"'s conclusion, is my awareness that I have my second play opening up June 25 -- "David Ives, All in the Timing."

I'm ready to crack some skulls. June will approach quickly. Better make the most of my time now.

So we continue

Heather and I have been continuously working on this "new department" buisness. I've learned a few valuable things:

1. To start from scratch means that you can make your own rules. I like this concept...it promotes creativity.

2. Team Teaching makes life easier. I've learned a lot from Heather, and I hope she has picked up some ideas from me as well. It gives the kids something new and improved - but not really.

3. The sky is the limit. Get yourself some enthusiastic students and things start to happen.

Get ready, get set - KES has a new and improved drama department. Things are looking pretty interesting.

First up - "Two" -- April 30, May 2.

Little did I know....

Interesting meeting I had today at school. I learned that my department has only existed since I came to the school in August. Ohhhhh - so that's why my life is so difficult. I see. Right. A pioneer! It would have been nice to know this beforehand, but I suppose you have to roll with the punches sometimes.

So creating a department from scratch. Well, when you get two individuals as go-hung as Heather and Myself, you have to consider that we're out to ruffle some feathers. I see some changes in the future of KES, and I am oh-so-happy that the kids are taking charge and using their intellect to make something of the department. Things like taking our rooms back. Would you believe they take away both drama rooms for a month for exams? We are stuck in classrooms. Not a chance. Other things like altering room space. Making my classroom a DRAMA room....not a trashed music room. I will take care of my space.

A drama committee has been formed and things are starting to happen. Declaring our space, creating show calenders for next year, PICKING shows. How exciting is it that I get to do exactly what I want? I'm directing - something I couldn't do at home because I was a novice! Here -my experience counts for something. Hoopla!

I've been quite frustrated as of late, but now, I feel awesome. I'm busy, and loving my extracurricular work. Directing two plays is tough, but I love it. I feel as though I owe it to these kids to put in a few years of good work. After all, they are putting a ton of work into this drama committee. They need the department (pioneers) to back them up.

AND - how cool is this: We are working with the hospital. I'm the deputy in charge of charity work involving theatre, the hospital and money raised to HELP the hospital. I love it!! Proceeds from "Two" are already heading to the Endoscopy Unit - who knows what else we can do!

Things are looking up. And I am so excited to be submerged into the world of theatre.

She sighs....

Sometimes you have to step back and look at where you stand. I stand for a lot of things these days: life, proper grammar usage, the pursuit of happiness. You know, the usuals. But a new one has entered the mix. I stand for being a star. Someone once said you should be the leading lady in your own life. I don’t feel like a leading lady.

I might have been stuck in the chorus throughout my theatrical life, but you would think I would have the chance to star in my own life.

End of Term, Baby!

We are officially in the midst of our two week holiday.  It was much needed, reflected in my previous posts.  Easter was full of SNOW and I got to frolic through it on my way to church.   It was pretty - and I actually enjoyed it 10 times more than the rain.  

And what adventure am I headed towards?  WELL.  Henson and I are headed off to Dublin again for some fabulousness with some fabulous people.  We are crashing at Brendan's pad, and just hanging out for a week in the good ol' city of Irishness.  It would have been nice to go somewhere sunny, but I think when you are looking for character, Dublin is the only answer.

Looking towards the next holiday (sad, right?) - Ron will be here.  We'll be rocking around the UK - seeing the sights, playing tourist.  And then the next break - summer holiday!  I'll be headed back to the US of A to see the fam!

When you look at your life in terms of days off - wow - it goes by fast!