I like things that are new and shiny

This week I got some new things:

- Headshots
- Website "Look"
- Keurig coffee Maker
- Keurig coffee k-cups
- Eat, Pray, Love on my Kindle Fire

It's been a pretty great week. I really like new things, it's part of why I've always been a great bargain shopper, I don't care if it's super fancy or expensive, I am just excited to have something I've never had before. This also leads to what has the great potential to become hoarding. I know, but I'm still kind of OK with it.

My new headshots are some of the first photos I've seen of me as a blonde and I must say, I like it. It's different and it's interesting to see myself in a new light, sometimes you just need a change. That's what this blonde hair is all about really.

My new website "look" is pretty snazzy, it's still a work in progress but I'm excited to put a new image of myself out into the universe. I've always been a bit of a chameleon which is why I've always loved acting, I had a tendency growing up to find aspects of my friends, latch on and take on those qualities. It's probably why I went through a phase where I legitimately thought I should shop at "Hot Topic." I should not. So, long story short, I'm excited to have a shiny new website and it helps me feel shiny and new.

My new Keurig and K-cups are probably the best convenience I've spent the money to have in my home ever. I love coffee, it is one of my favorite things. I also like all different flavors of coffee. I also like sleeping. Thus, I rarely wake up in time to make myself coffee before I leave the house. With my new keurig I turn it on, go blowdry my hair, push the brew button, get my purse and keys, come back and grab my coffee. It's like, the best thing in the world. Also, there are SO many flavors. I have caramel, hazelnut, french vanilla and cinnamon bun, as well as Dark Magic which is more for Carl than myself. This keurig has quickly improved my mornings.

Eat, Pray, Love is already helping me look at life differently and assess the possibilities of what's out there. I think if you are facing a time of struggle in your personal, professional or spiritual life it is a positive option. While I am only about 20% into the book (thanks for the info Kindle) I really am enjoying it, it's a fast, positive, very real book.

So, there you have it. New, shiny things. I guess I didn't technically talk about my theatre ventures but check out the Current Projects page on my shiny new website and you'll get the idea.

<3 Sarah

I'm a bad blogger.

I'll be honest, most of the time I have plenty of opinions on things, thoughts I feel merit sharing, etc. However, I just . . . don't necessarily consider myself a "blogger." I just don't have the instinct "Oh, I should blog about this!" which probably isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, I'm trying to challenge myself so I'm going to try to be better at maintaining this blog so . . . if you care . . . AWESOME! If not, that's ok I'm not offended.

So, what have I been thinking about lately? Here goes:

I truly love theatre, there is nothing that makes me feel the way I do when I walk into a theatre to see a performance. I love the magic of the lights dimming, I love the sounds of the candy wrappers and cell phones shutting off during the curtain speech, I love watching powerful performances and I love watching a "great try" in performance. There is just something about this art that I love and I want to make sure I remind myself of how lucky I am to have found something I love that much. Some people don't have that and I am blessed.

However, as I apparently was thinking in October, this business is anything but easy. So often talent gets passed over for someone who fits in the costume or someone who knows someone who knows someone, so often people are hurtful and forget that humanity is what makes art magical. It's so easy to let not being cast make you feel like your worthless, it's so easy to grow resentful of someone you know and love because they happen to have a lucky streak directly correlating with your unlucky streak. Why on Earth would we ever do this to ourselves? I don't know for sure but I am positive that every time I see a moving or inspiring performance I am energized to go out an "do that!" I want to move people like I was just moved. I want to rip off all of the layers and expose humanity, I want to make magic. This week I was inspired by The Outgoing Tide at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Not to mention the gorgeous set and lighting, the performances in this show were devastatingly human, the writing by Philadelphia playwright Bruce Graham was so human it was terrifying. I was pushed as an audience member and I am so grateful to have witnessed this performance.

I have been inspired by the classes I was blessed to take at the Walnut Street Theatre this spring, a musical theatre auditioning class that challenged me to push my own limits that I had set for myself, I was inspired to see my fellow students break down personal barriers and it was exciting to risk failure as it was to succeed. I danced in front of people every week for 10 weeks as part of the new Dance Call class and while I still don't skip with joy into a dance call, I know that if I just put the same attitude towards that as I do singing or acting I might stop being so terrified of making a mistake and actually start to enjoy dancing! I feel extremely blessed right now.

I am working with two wonderful actresses in Vanities with Quince Productions through April 21 and we have a wonderful time turning back the clock every night and visiting Texas in 1963, 1968 and 1973. I am inspired by these ladies and am so proud of this show.

And so, I am going to make a concerted effort to get on here and do this "blogging" thing more often . . . we'll see what happens :)

Love,
Sarah

Rainy days are terrible, strawberry Greek yogurt is not.

I learned this today :) It doesn't have all that much to do with this post but I wanted to share. I also have had a relatively calm week thus far which has been pleasant. On Sunday I had two auditions, one of which panned out and one did not. 

I find nothing more frustrating than walking into an audition and having a sudden realization you are just not what they are looking for. No matter how stellar your audition, no matter how perfect your hair and make up and wardrobe are, no matter how great your song choice you just don't fit their image of this role. That was how I felt about one of these auditions. I felt like I performed well but my frustration at "not fitting" led me to beat myself up and treat myself as though I had performed poorly when I knew I had put my best foot forward. Luckily I have support to remind me that you can't control everything and you have to be happy just as you are.  Today, this version of a wonderful song came on my Pandora and I wished I had listened to it on Sunday: http://youtu.be/gffJQYw1VP0

My second audition on Sunday went much better, I went in with a totally different attitude than my first audition and decided to just do what I do best and be ok with whatever happened. I booked the show and I'm pretty excited to work with a director I really enjoy and on a show I haven't seen in about 10 years. I'll write more about my journey as Agnes Gooch in Mame at The Broadway Theatre of Pitman later.

I'm still rehearsing for Annie and while we still have work to do I know we'll get it together soon. 

Well, that's about it until my next musing!

<3 Sarah

Mooning is almost Over :-/

Well, I haven't written much lately because, quite frankly, I've been really busy!

This week has been an extremely exciting, busy, fun week with a LOT to do. Monday was the Theater Prom (also known as the Barrymore Awards) for which I acted as an award-bearer and had the pleasure of handing awards to the winners on stage all evening. I (of course) bought a new dress for the occasion. Tuesday, I got a little rest when I found out I was not called to Annie rehearsal, and yesterday was our final Wednesday performance of Moon Over Buffalo. 

I have really enjoyed working on this production, there is a great cast, a fun story, a smart and talented director and creative staff, and mostly just a whole lot of laughter! I never would have thought to put myself in the role of Eileen, the blonde, ditzy ingenue of the company but luckily for me Al Fuchs saw something I didn't and I've had a blast stretching out of my comfort zone. As we wrap up, I've been reflecting on the show and I'm very proud of this experience.

Next up is Annie at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman and then spending the holiday season caroling with ClassicSingingTelegram.com! Also, hopefully more time blogging!

Xo,

Sarah

Hello World

As a theatre artist I do my best to experience as much theatre as I can (when I'm not creating it). I have been extremely fortunate and have been offered the opportunity to act at many regional theatres in and around Philadelphia as well as direct, stage manage, build props, teach . . . 

While I have no idea if anyone will be interested in this journey I figured I would take the time to share my thoughts on the things I see and do and see what happens.

Xo,
Sarah