A New Beginning? Goodbye SYP!

So, I've been reading my friend's blogs (okay, so it's my director and fellow actors who inspired me to blog) and I figured, why not start a blog of my own? I've got an interesting life, for the most part. I'm a Senior in High School, I'm an actress, I'm an artist, and I'm a chef. Seems to me like there's a good mixture to make things interesting. I'll be blogging about my school life (mostly assignments and tests), my theatre adventures, and anything in between.

Since I'm currently involved in The Hanging of the Greens, written by our own Claudia, why not start there?

I've known Claudia since I was 12. Or was it 11? Regardless of my age at the time I became involved in Lakeshore's Summer Youth Project (SYP for short), it became a huge part of my life. From my humble beginnings in The Stone Keepers to my final performance, Ciao Cinderella, six years later. Claudia has raised me for six summers, and last year was particularly emotional. Since I turn 18 this year I now have to part from my favorite summer activity. The final cast party was turning into a bit of a tear fest. My parting words were, if I'm not mistaken, "You can't get rid of me that easily!" And, lo and behold, here I am once again! Lakeshore has truly become a part of me, something I'm not ready to give up until I make my way west.

Greens, as the play is so fondly called, is probably one of the most fun plays I've had the pleasure to act in. I play Dryiad, an innocent, aloof Earth Spirit. I have a few SYP friends as well. Jack, Charlie, Grace, etc. But I'm also loving the new people I've met. I've spent most of my acting career with kids my own age and many younger than me. The chance to work with adults is something new, and so much more fun. I can actually talk about politics and quantum physics (kudos to you if you understand this part (Jim and Andrew *cough cough*)).

We recently had our first script-free runthrough. It went well. For some it was their first time off book, and others hadn't had their script for a few days to a week. I'm proud to say I'm off book. Usually I'm clinging to my script until the last minute, calling line for a few days after. So yeah, this is a huge thing for me. I tip my hat to those of you who can be without your script a week before lines are due.

An abrubt transition from theatre to school (you'll get used to it, I promise), I'm finally on Thanksgiving break. No school for a week! I feel like the students are really deserving of this break. I, for one, know that I need it. Running back and forth from school to home, doing homework, rushing to Lakeshore, back home to finish homework, and finally nodding off at 1AM can really wear a girl out. I plan on spending my break spriting (for those of you who don't know what spriting is, that'll come in a later blog), reading my 5 books for Lit, going to rehearsal, cooking for one of my favorite holidays, and last but not least, sleeping.

Well, as much as I'd love to keep typing, I've gotta go dry my hair. I'm heading out with Carlie and Stephie to go see Twilight tonight, and I still have chores to do!

Ciao 'til later!
-Brianna