Feels like Home...

Normally...I'm not a chimer.
Maybe a peep here or there while the poo is FLYING off the fan, but nothing huge.
But I do feel like there is something that is needed to be said.

I was dreading moving away from my home in Fort Lauderdale and moving here...to Huntsville. Where I didn't know anybody. I was sad, depressed, angry, in addition to MANY other emotions.

The day after I moved here I was just doing an internet search for things to do in Huntsville. Mainly, a theatre search.

And I found Renaissance Theatre.
I also saw that they were holding auditions for my all time favorite musical "The Rocky Horror Show.".

I literally walked in off the street, basically off a plane, and into the audition.
Walking in I was so nervous.

It seemed everybody knew everybody. And they did. It was me, and Carrie, and that's about. Everyone else had paired off with their groups/cliques/etc.

I thought for sure I wasn't in. I didn't know these people and why would they cast me when they have other people, just as talented, if not better that could easily fill my space.

But to my surprise, I was cast. And that show was one of the best theatre experiences of my life.

Then I worked on back to back Renaissance shows, "Steel Magnolias", my last show with Lee, where I met the wonderful Kim Parker and Terri King, and Karin Lynn, and Gaylen Pugh, and Cam Scales, among others and I felt like I had made friends.

After that I had the hilarious experience of working tech on a Tony Argo show, "Drop Dead".

I was then able to Asst. Direct "Reverse Psychology" along with Tony and Jason.

And from there, "Almost Blue" and the 2008 "Rocky", and now "The Book of Liz", which I will be eternally grateful for.

And you would be lying if you said that EVERYSINGLE theatre experience of your life has been 100% wonderful with kittens and rainbows and sunshine. Because, mine haven't. But I have taken something or someone and learned something about myself from each and every experience.

There have been times where we all have been frustrated and run down and possibly even angry with some of the people involved, but because of the heart that is put into that theatre...it's things that we decide if we can forget/forgive/move on from.

Because of the trust I was given with "The Book of Liz", I have seen RT's true colors and working with everyone there from Jackie and Billy and Gary and Gay and Jo and Bob...they have all dropped what they were doing to come and help me with whatever I needed or asked.

I cannot thank these amazing VOLUNTEERS enough, because of them, I have been able to accomplish something I have been dreaming about for years.

I think every theatre in town is wonderful.

Having a children's theatre is such a great thing because theatre and acting allows you to be more confident and have proper speaking skills that I think all children should have. And they can play and be silly and have fun, which is the best part of being a child.

And I adore musicals, so the more musical based theatre's will always have my heart. Musicals are sweeping and grand and can make you laugh or break your heart. Music is something that is universal, so I believe that musicals are as well. And the talented people who are in those musicals, I tip my hat to you...I was literally brought to tears during "The Last 5 Years" because of the beautiful voices in that show.

The basics of theatre involve the play, and those theatre's in town who focus on the "straight" show are great to have. They do the classics. And the new-er stuff. The ones that educate and the ones that arer there for pure silly. There is nothing better than a well produced, and thought out play.

All that being said...no matter what, Renaissance will always hold a special place in my heart just because they we're my first family here in Huntsville. They were the first theatre to give me a chance to direct. That first show I did here gave me these amazing people who are now family.

I know we will never sing songs and hold hands as a "theatre community" around the campfire, and frankly, I don't want to.

I just wish we could all feel supported by everyone in town.

...i'm done chiming now.