We made it

My roommate and I made the trek up to Peninsula Players in Door County Wisconsin together this past Wendesday. My car was packed to the brim with all of our luggage and shoes and toiletries and bikes and... well you get the picture.

The lobby of my apartment

We had a good drive up despite the rain. The first day here was mostly a get-settled-and-oriented-to- your-surroundings type of day. We met a lot of company members and interns at dinner, then saw Once a Ponzi Time, the current show of the season on its opening night- a hilarious little farce written by a company member.

Thursday, we started the day off by making a trip to the Target that is 40 minutes away to pick up those pesky little toiletries we each forgot and some necessary room snacky-type things. Then it was off to our first rehearsal which consisted of a meet and greet, designer presentations and a read through of our little show, Sunday in the Park with George. I'm so humbled by the 'Chicago Greats' I get to work with this summer. Holy cow!

I'm going to be leading a pretty tough life these next couple months. I can see the water from my window and hear it as I go to sleep. The room I'm in is an attic/loft type space that is ginormous. We could throw a little dance party up here. It's got a certain charm to it. We live above the Costume Shop and in the same building as the Administrative Offices and Box Office. Here's the outside of our building.

The window above the double doors is ours.

Meals are served in our lodge, but most people eat outside in the Beer Garden at all times of the day, myself included. We have two fabulous cooks who spoil us to bits with the amazing food they make, theme meals for holidays and are making sure my gluten free needs are taken care of. I'm not the only gluten free person here, so that's nice too.

Our main Fourth of July celebration is happening tomorrow night, but yesterday, one of the company members read the Declaration of Independence aloud. We could hear the creaking of the pine trees as he read. I've never witnessed a reading of the document that gives us Americans the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is so well written. Even when studying American history in school, I never read the entire thing- which I'm not sure if it is because I cliff-noted it or we just only focused on the main portion. With the Fourth of July being my favorite holiday, this will certainly be one I will always remember. And it is a week long celebration here with fireworks at different little towns along the peninsula each night!

Today was our first music rehearsal. We have been eagerly anticipating this first music read through as it sets the tone for the whole process of making this show come alive. I got goosebumps as we ran the Act I finale. I love many a Sondheim show, but this music certainly has some of his richest harmonies and yet at the same time remains so simple in its structure. 

It is hard to put this place into words and pictures. I've tried taking pictures of the grounds at all times during the day and night, but the pictures just don't do it justice. Since we are a repertory company (meaning one show performs while the next one rehearses), we have a lot of time in the evenings to explore and have fun and eventually learn music and lines. I will leave you with the view from my room. Until next time!

My view of the Beer Garden with the bay behind it

IT'S TIME TO (write about) PACK(ing)

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!

I came, I saw, I'm coming back!

Today marks a little over a month until I trek up to Fish Creek, Wisconsin to rehearse and perform with Peninsula Players. Over Memorial Day, I did an investigative trip to Door County to check out the local watering holes, the theatre and its grounds, wineries, nature, you know, the important stuff. Upon arriving at the Peninsula Players grounds, I realized it looked like a scene out of Dirty Dancing.

I carried a watermelon

I thought, if Frances 'Baby' Houseman can do it, so can I! (Good thing I enjoyed the trip since my contract is signed, sealed and delivered. :-) )

Highlights from the trip include visits to Julie's Park Cafe where I had a fabulous gluten free-bunned Ham and Swiss sandwich, Cana Island Lighthouse with a 97 stair walk up to the top of the 114 year old lighthouse, Pelletier's for a traditional Fish Boil, Stones Throw Winery including a wine tasting and picnic, theCookery featuring a salad with traditional Door County apples and cherries as well as a movie night with my family.

BUT

My favorite experiences so far are the following:

First of all, the sheer amount of gluten free options available in Door County. It seems like every restaurant there knows what they are doing regarding this intolerance. Cross contamination can also be a huge deal in restaurants, but I didn't get sick once. When I am living there later this summer, it is also a great thing to know that some of my favorite gluten free items are available at a couple local grocery stores. I won't have to pack my suitcases full of food!

Secondly, and in addition to being gluten free, I am also dairy free, but on special occasions I cheat a little and take a dairy pill with cheese. And hey, it's Wisconsin, the land of cheese. How could I not avoid a little indulgence? Unfortunately, gas stations don't go so far as to stock dairy pills, so I had to find a pharmacy. I googled and came up with Shopko pharmacy. Perfect! I set the GPS and off I was to the pharmacy. When I pulled into the parking lot, I thought, well shoot, am I in the wrong place? You don't exactly see this at a pharmacy in the Land of Lincoln:

However, the sign outside the store still read 'Pharmacy'. Alright Wisconsin, I thought, I'll trust you. Trust paid off. Not only was a pharmacy inside, but a Payless Shoes Source mini-store, a clothing section, water toys section (duh!), some food and a quasi-dollar section like those found at your local Target. Needless to say, I walked out with more than dairy pills.

Finally, I'm a wine-o and I never knew there were wineries in Wisconsin. The thing I'm discovering about Wisconsin wines is the unusual blends or ingredient combinations to create delicious tasting wine. From this trip, I discovered Cherry Chardonnay made by Orchard Country Winery. Normally, I detest Chardonnay. My palate prefers the fruitier medium-bodied reds and whites. This wine, it's so sweet, but finishes nice and crisp. I bought a bottle to bring home.

All in all, I had a great time visiting and am very excited to return and explore more this July and August. My next steps to prepare for the trip are starting my actor process for the first show I'm in and considering renting a moped for the summer. You could picture that right?

Until next time!