First thing... I'm obviously not good at the blogging thing, but maybe I'll work on it. I'll certainly try. I used to love writing and as bad as it sounds, college kind of took that away from me. I thoroughly enjoyed my college experience and got to study and write on some amazing topics. Very rarely was it for me, and it was very rarely impressive work. This is for me. Life is crazy. Maybe this will help me make sense of it.
The recap:
I am a college graduate. I walked across a stage and received a diploma. It seems so simple and yet it is so hard. That stage and I had spent a great deal of time together. As a backstage worker for touring companies I spent late nights, half of Thanksgiving week, and my last sorority recruitment weekend among many other moments. I met and worked with great people. I learned probably more than I could ever actually remember. I even fell for someone on that stage. And all of a sudden I get a piece of paper (in a very cheap protective cover) and walked out the doors.
The worst part of my graduation day is that I had to rush it. I barely saw my friends. I didn't get time to sit and talk to professors and advisers. I had to pack up and leave. I was getting a ride to my new job, which would start slightly more than twelve hours later.
After a sad fact of not being able to fit all of my stuff and one last drama goodbye at my professor's house across the street, I was on my way and arrived at my place- the Double-wide. Let's just say it's probably only slightly better than what it sounds like. I met my roommates, one being my stage manager/partner in crime, and had a late night and early morning into my summer life.
There is absolutely no way that I could actually sum up my experience at that amazing summer outdoor theatre. It was wonderful and crazy and stressful and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The first day was overwhelming and simple all at once. I was going to do this. I was the assistant stage manager to a cast and crew of over 80 individuals my first day out of college. Hello, world.
We did four productions, two were major musicals. I called one of the non-musical shows. It was my favorite and no one else's. But being in the booth and being the one who essentially makes the show happen... That's my favorite. Even when we hit crisis mode, I was in my place. I got stressed and got through it.
Running the backstage is a different story. I enjoyed it. I stood out in the open and watched flaming torches fall around me (accidentally getting hit once). I got really good at deck cues. I had a great crew. I conquered a demon of a show (different story entirely). But ultimately, I have my work cut out for me. I was not as good as I should have been. I talked to my production manager, who had been in my place before, and I know what I need to work on. I didn't agree with everything she said in my exit interview, but I will always value her opinion and take all of it under consideration as constructive criticism. Everyone at that theatre wants everyone else to succeed. It was a great environment in which to have my first professional theatre job. It was tough and tiring. I went an uncounted amount of weeks without a day off. And I loved it.
Another thing that I wouldn't trade is the people I met. I worked with some amazing, talented, and beautiful people. The actors, singers, dancers, and technicians put their hearts in it. The office and top of house staff did everything to support us. Even the parents of child actors came in when we were struggling to make deadlines. Any night we could find karaoke to let loose, we would. Sunday nights were the best nights, at least they were when we actually had Mondays off. I made great friends and got closer to some people from my school. I am so grateful that I got to work with the woman who supported me through my senior year even though we just met and who turned me to this job. She's amazing and is definitely living a life being brave off in NYC right now. I miss everyone. And I'm glad I opened up and let all of them in, including the guy everyone told me to stay away from.
I'm shy and I close myself off from every new experience out of nerves. But I moved to a new state for a summer with mostly strangers. I did a job that scared me. I made friends that I know I'll keep. And I'm in a relationship that had me happily jump on a Greyhound and travel another couple states just for a weekend filled with more strangers because I missed him. Right now may not be the greatest time in my life, but I'm grateful for what I have.
Next update: life after summer
