TWO WEEKS and counting ladies and gentlemen. That's right. Two weeks, 14 sleeps, 196ish waking hours, 20 voice lessons, three work shifts, three friends shows, two Arbonne parties, one church gig, a mud run, an un-4th-of-July BBQ and finally 258 miles northbound to the great Wisconsin Peninsula. Phew, I'm tired just typing that.
I'm getting excited now that I can see the start to the trip even if I am seriously overlooking the packing to do list. My family friends always make fun of me for bringing too much stuff with me wherever I go. That sixth grade band trip, my suitcases were heavier than me. Yes there were two suitcases and a backpack and the trip day count was exactly the number of bags I brought. Two week family vacation to Grandma and Grandpa's in Florida over the holidays? I'm not ashamed to admit I have bought a duffel bag or two to bring everything home in addition to the suitcases I've already loaded to the brim. Then there was that summer I studied abroad in Italy. Luckily I knew I would be living with a host family so I didn't have to bring as many clothes, but my suitcase could have had it's own row in the airplane. Thank goodness I traveled before weight restrictions on suitcases were made.
9 weeks. I can pack for that. I've done longer. I'll be driving my car up north, so I will have all the room I need to put various bags and shoes and miscellaneous items and my bike. But, the one thing I'm freaked out to pack for is a show. Do you know how many things this diva needs to get ready? We're talking makeup and primer and hairspray and curlers and brushes and underthings and character shoes and false eyelashes and... you get the picture. Not to mention the hiking shoes, the running shoes, the flip flop shower shoes, the cute wedge shoes, the water shoes, the sporty wear, the I-don't-care-if-I-ruin-these-clothes wear, the opening night summer dress, the closing night dress, the yoga pants, the biking pants, a couple swimsuits, rehearsal clothing and toiletries. Toiletries for miles. I'll just put my bathroom sink on the roof of my car. That's doable, right? And bug spray. Lots of bug spray.
But, let's not forget the most important part:
The scripts and libretto for Sondheim's score and libretto for Sunday in the Park with George and Ken Ludwig's The Game's Afoot. Now those three items make all those other things I need to pack seem insignificant. The work we actors are privileged to do by such gifted composers and writers is worth it. Every audition we do, every mile we travel, every rejection we face head on pays off in moments like these. I am so lucky to have been given the opportunity to work with Peninsula Players this summer.
Hopefully the next time you hear from me will be from the land of cheese. Cheers and Happy early 4th of July!
