Moment of truth: I'm not opening up a restaurant in Santa Fe, though it is a dream to live out that famous Tom Collins fantasy, but.... what we are doing is opening up a week of Grinchin' in the great neighboring city of Albuquerque! Let's start with the journey from Tulsa...
After a great couple of weeks in Oklahoma, we embarked on a two-day journey to the grand state of New Mexico, one of a handful of states I have never set foot in.Since the journey was estimated at 13 hours, the decision was made to split the time up between two days. The pit stop turned out to be in Amarillo, Texas. When I think Texas, I think of steak. I think of throwing peanut shells on the floor. What I don't think about... 23 degrees with blustery 30 mph gusts in early November! The 50 degree drop-off was somewhat made up for by getting the aforementioned steak and peanut throwing experience, but no doubt I was surprised that the first place I would end up seeing my breath in the "Winter" season would be in Texas. Luckily, the Texas Roadhouse experience was mere feet from the door of the hotel, so it was only a quick sprint away! A few members of the cast made the mad dash for some Texas style food, and we didn't let the experience go to waste. Cinnamon butter and rolls, peanuts out of a bucket, cold mug of beer, sweet potato, and of course... the steak! It was more than enough to send us off to dreamland for the evening, tucking us in for our one-night stay in Amarillo. We awoke to get right back on the bus to finish the trek to Albuquerque, which was about 4 1/2 hours.
As we crossed into New Mexico, I crossed another state off the list of those I have yet to visit. Also crossed off my to-do list... seeing a cactus in the wild! I don't get much more Midwest than that, but it was honestly so exciting to see a cactus not in a cheap "clay" pot in some New York flower shop. As we ventured further in, I began noticing the redness of the soil and the flatland, which was intermittently interrupted by beautiful mountains. We soon got into the city, and to our hotel, with just enough time to go grocery shopping and be on our way to the theatre. The interesting new element to this week's experience... The theatre is 9 miles away from the hotel. So, we were given rental cars to venture to and fro, which has given us a freedom and convenience we have already been taking advantage of. This week, we're performing on the University of New Mexico campus, which is pretty nostalgic. It has all the makings of any college campus- Jimmy Johns, pizza, dive bars, and ill-groomed gents in hoodies with the sleeves pulled up just a bit as they hold their stylish cup of Starbucks coffee... we all know the type. I have to be honest, made me miss the college days a bit. Just a bit. I mean, having that bubble of a world can be appealing- your schedule is somewhat set up for you. There's stability and structure, at least substantially more than post-college life has shown.
Just a few hours off the bus, and there we sat in the theatre, planning for another week of entertaining. A walk-through of the theatre, including the route from Stage Right to Stage Left, which takes us under the stage this week. Dressing rooms, stage, and wig prep are all on different levels this week- a blessing in disguise, I suppose. After all, it means a little less cardio and calf raises at the gym! Never ceases to amaze me- the way that we adapt. The spacing, the layout, the placement of props, the traffic offstage... things we learned an hour before show time... and executed without a hiccup. What a great start to a great week here in New Mexico. The cast, crew, orchestra... everyone maintained such a level of professionalism and focus, and the audience wasn't shy in showing their appreciation for those efforts! I look forward to another 9 shows, especially the two in which I will know someone in the audience! I have an uncle who lives just a couple hours away, and extended theatre family who have recently moved to the area. Those are such great things to look forward to in a tour like this- setting up those "highlights" of the tour assists in keeping up energy and focus, which can undoubtedly be trying at times. Excited to share this show with more family and friends!
Today was long, but ultimately rewarding. I feel like I squeezed every moment out of this one- took in a lot of new experiences and had the privilege of performing in another theatre for another group of people. A new group of people, which is something that I keep reminding myself of anytime monotony tries to creep its way in. We're on an upward and positive track, improving every day. I have to say that my personal journey is on that same track. Today is better than yesterday and I pray for a better tomorrow. The art of living in the Here and Now is and will always be a work in progress, but I feel that trend starting to stick more and more. Letting the past teach, not drag. Letting it inform, but not dictate. I have faith that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. A month ago, I was where I was supposed to be. A month ago, I never thought I'd be where I am today in many different facets of life... but nonetheless, I was propelled and brought to this day for a reason. I am embracing the people and experiences passing through my life, teaching me and propelling me on this journey. They are gifts, even when they are seemingly in disguise. Let another week of learning, growth, and love begin!
After a great couple of weeks in Oklahoma, we embarked on a two-day journey to the grand state of New Mexico, one of a handful of states I have never set foot in.Since the journey was estimated at 13 hours, the decision was made to split the time up between two days. The pit stop turned out to be in Amarillo, Texas. When I think Texas, I think of steak. I think of throwing peanut shells on the floor. What I don't think about... 23 degrees with blustery 30 mph gusts in early November! The 50 degree drop-off was somewhat made up for by getting the aforementioned steak and peanut throwing experience, but no doubt I was surprised that the first place I would end up seeing my breath in the "Winter" season would be in Texas. Luckily, the Texas Roadhouse experience was mere feet from the door of the hotel, so it was only a quick sprint away! A few members of the cast made the mad dash for some Texas style food, and we didn't let the experience go to waste. Cinnamon butter and rolls, peanuts out of a bucket, cold mug of beer, sweet potato, and of course... the steak! It was more than enough to send us off to dreamland for the evening, tucking us in for our one-night stay in Amarillo. We awoke to get right back on the bus to finish the trek to Albuquerque, which was about 4 1/2 hours.
As we crossed into New Mexico, I crossed another state off the list of those I have yet to visit. Also crossed off my to-do list... seeing a cactus in the wild! I don't get much more Midwest than that, but it was honestly so exciting to see a cactus not in a cheap "clay" pot in some New York flower shop. As we ventured further in, I began noticing the redness of the soil and the flatland, which was intermittently interrupted by beautiful mountains. We soon got into the city, and to our hotel, with just enough time to go grocery shopping and be on our way to the theatre. The interesting new element to this week's experience... The theatre is 9 miles away from the hotel. So, we were given rental cars to venture to and fro, which has given us a freedom and convenience we have already been taking advantage of. This week, we're performing on the University of New Mexico campus, which is pretty nostalgic. It has all the makings of any college campus- Jimmy Johns, pizza, dive bars, and ill-groomed gents in hoodies with the sleeves pulled up just a bit as they hold their stylish cup of Starbucks coffee... we all know the type. I have to be honest, made me miss the college days a bit. Just a bit. I mean, having that bubble of a world can be appealing- your schedule is somewhat set up for you. There's stability and structure, at least substantially more than post-college life has shown.
Just a few hours off the bus, and there we sat in the theatre, planning for another week of entertaining. A walk-through of the theatre, including the route from Stage Right to Stage Left, which takes us under the stage this week. Dressing rooms, stage, and wig prep are all on different levels this week- a blessing in disguise, I suppose. After all, it means a little less cardio and calf raises at the gym! Never ceases to amaze me- the way that we adapt. The spacing, the layout, the placement of props, the traffic offstage... things we learned an hour before show time... and executed without a hiccup. What a great start to a great week here in New Mexico. The cast, crew, orchestra... everyone maintained such a level of professionalism and focus, and the audience wasn't shy in showing their appreciation for those efforts! I look forward to another 9 shows, especially the two in which I will know someone in the audience! I have an uncle who lives just a couple hours away, and extended theatre family who have recently moved to the area. Those are such great things to look forward to in a tour like this- setting up those "highlights" of the tour assists in keeping up energy and focus, which can undoubtedly be trying at times. Excited to share this show with more family and friends!
Today was long, but ultimately rewarding. I feel like I squeezed every moment out of this one- took in a lot of new experiences and had the privilege of performing in another theatre for another group of people. A new group of people, which is something that I keep reminding myself of anytime monotony tries to creep its way in. We're on an upward and positive track, improving every day. I have to say that my personal journey is on that same track. Today is better than yesterday and I pray for a better tomorrow. The art of living in the Here and Now is and will always be a work in progress, but I feel that trend starting to stick more and more. Letting the past teach, not drag. Letting it inform, but not dictate. I have faith that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. A month ago, I was where I was supposed to be. A month ago, I never thought I'd be where I am today in many different facets of life... but nonetheless, I was propelled and brought to this day for a reason. I am embracing the people and experiences passing through my life, teaching me and propelling me on this journey. They are gifts, even when they are seemingly in disguise. Let another week of learning, growth, and love begin!