The past few days I’ve had an abnormally light rehearsal schedule.  My free time has been filled with various activities, some more productive than others.  I’ve rested and iced my ankle, but have also had fun going out with my cast mates.  The more I get to know them, the more excited I am for the next 7 months!

My cast at office run #1

Before each cast signs onto the ship, they do an “office run”.  They perform one of their shows for the production staff and the other casts currently in rehearsals.  They can also invite local friends and family members to come watch.  Two casts were leaving this weekend, so we finished rehearsals early on Thursday and Friday and got to watch our fellow performers do their thing!  Thursday we watched the unofficial run of another Broadway show, and ended the day at the office run of a boogie show, set to music from the 70s.  It was a fun, high energy performance.  I’d love to learn it someday, but am not sure I have the stamina it requires!  Friday we saw a show based on a few popular fairy tales.  There wasn’t much dancing in it, but I loved it!  The cast performing was really strong.  It was so nice to see what everyone else has been up to!

Office Run #2

On Thursday, my cast finished learning our Broadway show.  We did 2 runs of the full show on Friday.  There will be some very quick costume changes when we put the show on stage, so I’m glad we’re running it a lot now to build up our stamina.  I have a lot of notes to review from last week, but I feel good about what we accomplished in under 2 weeks!  I’m working with a very talented group, and it will only get better from here.

Friday Night

Saturday, the other tall girl in my group and I were not called to rehearsal.  We decided to make the most of our surprise day off, and went out Friday night with another cast to celebrate their upcoming departure.  It was great to meet more performers from the company.  Most of them are re-hires, and they had a lot of great stories to share, and tons of energy!  Saturday I ran errands, did laundry, squeezed in a workout, and had home made chocolate chip cookies ready by the time my cast mates got home.

Chocolate chip cookies

Two members of the cast had birthdays on Saturday, so we all went out to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.  We got really silly after dinner, and ended up taking over the restaurant, singing and dancing all around!  Some of the waiters even joined in.

Such a fun group!

Sunday I was able to sleep in, went to the pool, and relaxed all afternoon while it poured outside.  Hurricane season in Florida is tough to get used to!  The weather changes in the blink of an eye.  I joined some family friends for dinner, and went to bed early to get ready for rehearsals on Monday.  I’m looking forward to another week and a fun new show!

The cast at dinner

Week #1 was pretty intense!  In addition to 6 days of rehearsals, I had orientation, new hire training, and a rather invasive medical exam.

At the studio, things move quickly.  We learn one or two pieces each day, and must be ready to run any number at any time.  We’re already 3/4 of the way through the Broadway show!  To keep the details straight, I’ve taken the advice of my old ballet mistress and have written everything down.  When we take 5, I write out my spacing, then at night, after the information has had a chance to “marinate”, I write out the choreography one 8-count at a time.  It’s a time consuming process, but it has been effective!

My cast, ready to rehearse

The style of movement is very different from what I’ve been doing the past few years.  I haven’t shimmied so much (not intentionally at least) since jazz competitions in high school.  I feel like my cast, composed almost entirely of re-hires, has a better grasp on the style than I do.  Thus, my main focus this week will be to work on how I’m doing each piece, rather than just what I’m doing.  It will be a challenge, but it will be fun.  I love all the music we’re dancing to, so even when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I can’t help but smile.

This week I’ll also be working on my monologue for the Chicago section.  I have to speak in Cell Block Tango!  I’ve never spoken in a performance before, so I’m a bit nervous!  More than anything, though, I’m excited.  I’ve always wanted to be one of the Merry Murderesses.  My coaching last week was to think “Stepford wife” or “Joan from Mad Men”.  I laughed, since I’ve actually been both of those for Halloween in recent years.  Apparently, I am this murderess.  Watch out, boys…

Time for a treat

Sunday was my first day off since arriving in Florida, so I decided to treat myself!  I grabbed bagels with a cast mate, splurged on a pedicure, baked cookies, and enjoyed a movie night with the gang.  Silver Linings Playbook was as good as I’d hoped, though it was nothing like the book!  It was a great way to wrap up the first week on the job, and get ready for more madness Monday morning.