WHAT. A. WEEKEND.
(Warning: this is very long)
Last weekend I had the privileged of attending the Festival that sparked my joy for Thespians. I remember being a freshman in theatre with no friends, not able to compete or participate in any events because everything was so new to me, and so in awe. Now, 3 years later, I was able to return with two sashes on my shoulder and the same awe I had before. I remember my dad and I were packing for this weekend, and we discussed how I kept him awake till 3:00 in the morning talking about all the exciting things I experienced my freshman year. "They have musicals and plays showing almost EVERY HOUR!" I said to him in shock, I had no idea there was a weekend so magical where everyone just did theatre things for days straight. "You thought that place was like Disney World." My dad said to me on our way to the convention center for the last time. And indeed, it still was. I am always astounded by the things I experience at every convention. This year, I was able to participate in this convention as an ITO, an SSB, and a festival attendee. I will say, I definitely met my match with tasks to do. From teaching workshops with Alex Minton, who earned the merit of honorary Texas Thespian this weekend, to working NON STOP with my fellow SSB members, to receiving a perfect score in my IE and earning a MainStage callback, being able to perform in an Improv show with my fellow troupe members, 20 college callbacks, and receiving $1,000 in Musical Theatre scholarship money, it's safe to say that I had the time of my life! I was so humbled by the talent I was able to witness, such as the extraordinary Andrew Lippa, Ryan Wood, jaw dropping MainStage performances, All State Cast and Crew members, as well as the immense talent that is rooted in each SSB I had the privileged to work side by side with and call my friends. This year I was honored to be able to select the 2015-2016 SSB board and there has only been one other time I ever felt I was surrounded by so much passion and desire to serve, the other occasion being when I ran for ITO, and HOLY COW. Not only with the newly elected SSB's but even with the Candidates that were unable to be selected, I can sleep easy knowing that this convention that I hold so dear to my heart will be left in the hands of students that care so much for their craft. I felt the passion of every student that attended Alex and mine's workshops, I felt it in every student that competed in an IE, I felt it in every play marathon and MainStage performer, I felt it every time we stepped on stage in front of 5,000+ thespians, I felt in in every adult I interacted with this weekend, I felt it in every troupe that interviewed for Troupe-Of-The-Year, and I felt it become reborn in myself. The Texas Thespians raised $3,000 for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids and $1,350 for the Lincoln Experience in 1 minute! I am so proud of my home state and so thankful that I was able to come home to where it all began. I hope that at least one person left festival finding a home in such a great organization.
I feel like at the end of each blog I have a little thank you area, and this one is going to be a bit longer than usual so brace yourself. FIRST OF ALL, thank you so much to Ms. Morgan, Ms. Jones and Ms. Eyles for being some of the hardest working Adult SSB liaisons. Thank you to Sarah from Broadway Cares for being at festival and jumping right into lending a helping hand. Thank you to my directors for their patience they had with me this weekend and for always being the voice of reason and the most loving/reassuring people I've ever have the honor to learn from. Thank you specifically to my director, Mrs. Kirkley, for all of her hard work she put into making sure everyone had a great festival, including myself, and who's passion and kindness shined from the registration booth. Thank you to my troupe for being so flexible with our quality troupe bonding time and always having a smile on their face, thank you Jack Arbuckle for representing McKinney Boyd and Troupe #7052 so well this weekend and in everything you do. Thank you to every adult that sacrificed time and patience to make this weekend happen, thank you Amy Jordan for fully surrendering your heart into making sure everything runs smoothly, and thank you to some of the best friends I had the privilege to know. Wes, Fran, Nathan, Cory, Peyton, Summer, Lydia, Sabrina, Briona, Alison, and Jake, it has been an honor to serve on this board with you. Every laugh, every argument, and every joyful moment in between has gotten me where I am today. Thank you Mrs. Diane Carr for embodying dignity, beauty and grace in every form possible and being the first shining face and hug I got to have in this journey. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to my fabulous ITO Chair and best friend, Alexander Minton. I don't know how many times I can tell you this, but I am so humbled by you. Thank you for being my friend, my co worker, and for always being there to fix me in every down moment. It was an honor to share my last festival at home with you, and I could not have done it with out you. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THANK YOU TEXAS THESPIANS! WITHOUT YOU, THERE WOULD BE NO FESTIVAL.
Texas is down! Next stop: Kansas!