Wagner mainstage debut

Today I was cast in my first main stage show at Wagner. I will be in the dance ensemble of "My Fair Lady" next semester. Besides being extremely excited to be making my Wagner main stage debut, I also felt honored and proud of myself. When I called my Mom and Dad they both started crying because they were so proud of me.

One thing I've learned this past year is how well I deal with rejection. I was not cast in any departmental productions for my freshman year (although I did get two callbacks) and I auditioned for a lot of summer stock companies (again getting many callbacks) but no job offers. Not once though did I question if this is really what I want to be doing. I continued to have confidence in myself and I continued to love what I do and I continued to be so thankful that I am able to study and train and learn about my craft at school. I focused on my classes and have come so far these past two semesters. I am proud of my work, my dedication, and my focus. And that has lead me to this opportunity of getting to work on a beautiful musical and dance the original Broadway choreography (which I am so excited to learn next fall).

If you want to be in this business you have to have a craving for it. You have to be in love with the work and you have to want it. And I mean really want it. "My Fair Lady" will open in November and run through until the beginning of December and I just cannot wait to start rehearsals for it. Well I know what I'm doing this summer: research, research, research about the time period, the place, and getting to know the show like the back of my hand.

365 days later

Today I finished my 365. This was something I started last year as a senior in high school as part of a project for STAC. I remember thinking how long it would take me to complete an entire 365. But here it is. 365 days later and I've completed the task. It wasn't always easy and I'll be honest - I did miss a few days here and there (which set me back a little bit - I still took 365 days worth of pictures) - but it still feels good to have completed it.

Looking back at my blog (http://beckygrace365.blogspot.com) I read what I wrote the very first day I started my 365. I mentioned how this was the perfect time for me to start a 365 because of how much my life was about to change in the coming year. Not only did I not realize how much it really would change, I think I also forgot about this "change" thing as I was going through this year. Change isn't easy to take and certain changes were hard for me to deal with. But overall, this year was an amazing year. And I'm excited to see where this next year takes me...

Which is why I've decided not to give up on my 365 thing. Tomorrow I will start 365 take 2: Another year of photos. Here at school a lot of people know me by my 365. It has become a part of who I am. I can't just abandon it because I've completed one year. My goal for this second round of 365 is to not skip a day at all. If that means taking a picture as soon as I wake up in the morning so that I don't miss it, that is how it will be.

Here's to another year and even more changes... CHEERS!