January: Babes in Toyland had just ended and we started to see the big picture for SFAP. The friendships made in that show were strong, most of the cast was keeping in touch and seeing each other regularly. That made the show so special. We planned multiple reunions.
Our very first workshop was going underway and the group was learning and growing a lot. We were also learning what techniques were going to work for us and which ones weren't.
February: It was time to think about the Summer show, we had decided on Tarzan and I was so excited. At this time Jorne and I were getting into the more intense Scarlet Pimpernel rehearsals. Boy, I wrote a book on this blog about that experience! We were skiing and scheming as we had decided to write and original musical , which turned into 'The End'.
March: Scarlet Pimpernel came and went and it really had a lasting effect on my life and the course of SFA. through it we gained the Adebayo family as members of the SFAP family. I remember after the cast party driving to Desales for Mass and as always on college campuses the info was wrong(Irrelevant, just felt like adding it). As soon as pimpernel ended focus shifted squarely on the class, Tarzan , and College applications ahhhhh.
April: Easter and the time leading up to it, Lent, are a key part of our year. A time of devotion and cleansing, refocusing on the most important part of our lives. This was the last month before Tarzan rehearsals started and also the first time we watched the show as we drove all the way out to Wyalusing High School to see it. Promoting Auditions was an important part of the month along with planning and brainstorming. The venue search was turning lemons but we remained positive.
May: Auditions!!!! I remember walking out of the room yelling "This is going to be the funnest show EVER". We had an all-star cast and I couldn't wait to employ all of the new ideas we had for rehearsals.
Lax got really serious and left an indelible mark on me which will affect the rest of my life. We made it to the League championship game and the District. We lost both but it was incredible to have just picked up a lax stick and be playing at that level and being counted on. Jorne and I shared the game ball for the game we beat our rivals in, that got us in the championship which we blew a 6-1 lead and had our last chance taken away by a technicality. It meant so much to me to be on that team and where the E for Easton as my father did before me. It softened the blow of never getting to where that P ( Pius the 10 Royals-football) again, if only a little.
The cast was fresh and worked hard for bootcamp, the energy was spot on we were so excited. My first show as director was shaping up to be a thrill.
June: We were stuck using Northeast Middle School for our venue but it was a beautiful brand new auditorium. Along with this we finalized other parts of the tech and it was time to advertise. We were pushing the 48 person cast to talk the show up and sell tickets to people who may not normally come. I was wearing the director/set builder/marketer/producer/PR/actor hat. It's a nice hat.
The cast started to lose some gusto. I searched for a solution to fire them up again. We went to the drive -in and other fun things though the cast was really bonded.
July: Tarzan, I learned more than I could of imagined, was let down by many people and impressed by more.
Vacation in Georgia was sweet, a time to recharge but I immediately looked for ways to advance the company. We talked business often on the trip. We loved it though
August: It turned out the best option for me was to suspend enrollment until spring for football. This redefined this time to be focused on growing SFA. We planned our next class, 17 people signed up. We had high hopes billing this class as personal training working on improving the overall performer.
Time to plan for the Christmas show.
September: My first fall without school. I started working out at Corexcell,and set goals for football after talking to the head coach, Coach Donelly.
The class was going well, we were pushing them and getting a feel for their limits.
October: The show was decided! A Little Princess, we thought it would be easy but it turned out to be a HUGE undertaking, rivaling the difficulty of a Summer show. Auditions took place and we got a very talented Sara along with all the other little girls. Such a strong group of talented people.
The show was to be performed at Scottish Rite Cathedral, a true theatre. The administration was the most initially positive response we have had for leasing. This was an energizing beginning.
November: Turned 20! It's Crunch time! The class was coming to a close and although they had a hard time during the 12 weeks they really improved drastically!
The rehearsals were a new experience since most of the cast was under 4 ft. They were......fun. The little girls were having a great time. Each show is a new game and what is fun is figuring out how to beat it!
Set design was hard to visualize but I had a big idea.
December: A Little Princess was fantastic. The move-in was great. Our lighting designer was awesome, a 77 year old named Ed. We learned soooooo much. Hanging a false proscenium, building interior design, etc., so many new experiences.
Christmas and New Years were a wonderful time. Looking back at the year it is always quite nostalgic at this time. This was a powerful year and set us up to become a force in 2015!
The 2015 preview I coming next week!
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