Broadway Beginnings with Elizabeth Lyons

 So I, I, I proposed the joinery thinking it'll be beautiful out cuz it's so early in the morning. And I got over here and I drove this time so I didn't feel it till I was really Yeah. Kind of here. And I was like, fuck, it's hot. Like, yeah. Never know. And I'm just like, I like, I like got all dusted up because I wasn't gonna wear this to Broadway stars tonight, but I didn't wanna have to like, redo my makeup and my hair.

Mm-hmm. And then I got here and I was like, hair's going up. Uh, you know, makeup, makeup melt, just like melting off my face. Yeah. That's what it does in Florida. Yeah. Yeah. That's what happened. It's hot and muggy. Understand. Yeah. You grew up in Lakeland, right? Yes. Okay. Yeah. Where did you go to high school? Uh, Harrison.

Oh, okay. Okay. Got it. Yes. Musical theater. Yes. Excellent. Okay, perfect. Let's talk about all that. We're going to the, um, Broadway Stars of the future this afternoon. Yes, yes. We're very excited too. I be, I saw Yes. You good? Yeah. It's good to see all the kids like getting recognition for all the hard work that they do and these amazing shows they could put on.

Yeah. I haven't seen one over at All Saint yet, but like, they keep getting all of these nominations and I'm like, mm-hmm. We need to make it out there. We need to make it over there and go see some, I saw Beauty and the Beast. Did you? Yes. What were you guys doing? You were doing something else, obviously, cuz you didn't go.

I don't, I don't know. I mean, it's, I would say in the last year, for me, I make more of an effort to go to more shows. Mm-hmm. Yeah. But it was harder when I had a, a job. Yeah. Because then it was like, oh, well I, you know, I'm stuck in Palm Beach or whatever. You guys definitely had a conflict though, was it?

Maybe we had a conflict, but I don't know what it was. Maybe it was, um, altogether now or Yeah. You guys had something going on. That Gabs wasn't in. So it wasn't like an L C T situation. It was probably a meeting. Mm-hmm. Yes, yes, yes. Cause that was a great show. Yeah. Had lots of fun. Thank was a fun one. Yeah, it's a really fun one.

Um. And it was at college, was it State College College in Winter Haven? Yeah. Yeah. We saw, um, a trek. That was two years ago. Oh, wow. I know. Yeah. That was a few years pre Covid. I know. Wow. Middle days. Oh my goodness. Shall we get started? Yeah. So you wanna do an intro? Sure. I mean, it's mildly at the beginning of this podcast have, so we haven't see each other in like two weeks.

So we'll just sit here and do this. Two hours. Yeah. Yeah. Here forever. Welcome to the Drama Mamas. Thank you. Welcome, welcome. I'm Kathy. I'm Kristin. I'm Elizabeth Eli, not just Elizabeth. Elizabeth with a huge resume and an incredible company. I guess you would call it your Broadway beginnings. Yes. Yes. Thank you.

Yeah. Added that to the resume. Mm-hmm. Uh, just over a year ago now. Okay. Okay, cool. And so tell us a little bit, I, we have lots of questions for you. Mm-hmm. Okay, so let's start there. Cause I wanna make sure we cover that very thoroughly. Sure. Yeah. So, Broadway Beginnings, I was kind of born out of, uh, the desire to, well, to always be doing more.

Um, and so I've really interested in how I can kind of bring my two worlds together, my world in New York, uh, all of my friends and professional contacts up there. And then my, uh, you know, new World here, um, as an educator. And so, Broadway Beginnings, I, um, I've been teaching private voice lessons, uh, since I moved back to Lakeland about six years ago.

And, um, in the last year, those started to add on these different, um, workshops on the weekends and things. Um, flying down friends from New York to teach the kids for a day or, or two days. Um, and give them just that, you know, I experience. Yes. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Um, and, and it's, it's been really fun. Um, we're, I'm expanding the ideas.

I'm taking a group of 10 kids, uh, up to New York this summer mm-hmm. And I'm really excited about that. Yes, yes. So tell us more about that experience. What are they gonna see? What are they gonna do? Yeah. Uh, so we'll be up there four, I think it's three and a half days. Okay. Uh, we're gonna see two shows.

We're seeing Funny Girl, Uhhuh, uh, and Kimberly Kimbo. Okay. Uh, we are doing two and a half days of private masterclass. Okay. Opens our studios. Um, so that's, uh, I can't really share anyone here meeting with you cause it to the kids. Um, that's ok. We got some really, really exciting workshops set up for them.

Broadway dance workshops, on camera workshops, um, song coaching. Um, yeah, we're taking them on the last day. Um, there was an option for them to go on a little sightseeing experience mm-hmm. Uh, just to host a short taste of that. So we're gonna do, um, a backstage tour of Radio City. Okay. And then, uh, um, a private tour of the Empire State Building.

Oh. At the end, uh, just as a little, you know, if you wanted to celebrate at the end mm-hmm. In that way. Yeah. Um, yeah. So lots of fun. Lots of fun cans and Yeah. Yeah. So I'm very excited about that. It's kind of a vision I've like imagined doing for a very long time and it's really exciting to see it. Coming to life and the have 10 kids going, I, I would've been thrilled with, um, three, four, or five.

Mm-hmm. Right. Right. And when we got to 10 I, yes. And how great for those 10 kids, they're gonna have a lot of one-on-one and Yes. You know, you're not in this big group of people you can really shine. That's really exciting. Yes. Yeah. And that's something that's lots of attention. Mm-hmm. Yeah. That's something that's really important to me.

Um, even as the company, you know, hopefully continues to grow and evolve, um, having it be community based, uh, and, and really community based in the sense that the students feel seen, uh, that we're focusing on wellness. Um, one of my dearest friends is coming with me, Sarah Claire Smith. Uh, she's another, uh, not local anymore, but went to Harrison.

Mm-hmm. Uh, we went to Florida State together. Uh, but now she's down in West Palm. She's a licensed. Mental health counselor. Oh, perfect. And, uh, but also still performs at the Malt Jupiter Theater down there. Mm-hmm. Um, and she's coming along with me, the host, uh, wellness sessions, the beginning and end of every day.

And, um, it's just, it's really important to me. Yeah. Yeah. Yes, absolutely. That's, yes. I that when I was reading on your, um, website, the Broadway Beginnings website, I saw that. I'm like, that is fabulous. Yeah. Because I know, like our kids, like my daughter right now, she's like, I just need a break. Like it's, you know, it's been nonstop for so long and it, it does wear on them immensely, so I absolutely love that you're including that piece in there and teaching them early how to self, self-care.

Mm-hmm. Yes. Mm-hmm. Cause we're not very good at that. Yeah. And, and it's not, so it's hard to find that balance. Yeah. Yeah. It's, and even just the conversation of it. Mm-hmm. Um, it wasn't a part of, of my training. Yeah. And I, I just think it could doubt what a d we always, uh, you know, my peers and I will always say, How different would our experience have been?

Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah. Yeah. If, if we had really been even just having table conversations about it Sure. About it. Yeah. And just bringing awareness and making it a safe subject to talk about. Mm-hmm. Because that hasn't always been the case. No. In a lot of places it still isn't. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You know, we need to make sure that we're taking care of that.

That's great. So what are the age groups like? What is the mm-hmm. The range, I should say, of the kids learning? So, for the most part, um, the work I've been doing so far has been like 11 and up, kind of sixth grade. Mm-hmm. And up. Um, I, I have a couple of voice students who are under that, uh, who are just a delight to work with.

They're just so, thank you so much with them, so excited. You know? Mm-hmm. Um, so I do private coachings for, for younger, like seven. Okay, gotcha. Um, but yeah, in the next year, I'm, I'm looking to start to add some, you know, Shorter experiences, uh, for a younger, a younger kid to get them, just to get them excited mm-hmm.

To get them loving it and to, you know, get them setting a goal of Yeah. You know, Ooh, when I'm in sixth grade, I wanna mm-hmm. Be able to Yeah. Go on that trip. The same, do that. Mm-hmm. Nurture. True. I know. It's nice for them to see the older kids doing things too. Cuz then those become their role models.

Like, I wanna do what she's doing. Right. I wanna be that good. Your kids have definitely done that when we started them. Mm-hmm. We had some role models like that and they were like, oh, I wanna be like so and so. Mm-hmm. Yep. Yeah, it's pretty great. That's so far from them. It's It is, it is. I'm, mm-hmm. I currently teach, um, private lessons to two of my role models.

When I grew up dancing. I grew up dancing at Highland School dance. Oh my gosh. And two of my absolute idols, uh, I now teach through their daughters. Oh God. And it's just, yeah. It, its. It's really special

at the same time. I know they tracked them off the mall. He's like, wow. I know. We're, that's very cool. Yeah. Aw, I love that. So was there an audition process for these 10 children to join? Or how did that go? Yeah, not this time around, you know, having it be, uh, the first year mm-hmm. That I was diving into it, uh, I, I thought it was important to keep it open mm-hmm.

As an open opportunity this time around. Okay. Excellent. Um, so no audition this time. Okay. Which is good. And, and also, you know, all the artists who are gonna be working with, um, they're, you know, they're aware that this is, uh, a range of, of gotcha. Mm-hmm. You know, levels. Mm-hmm. Um, kind of advanced beginner to intermediate.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Uh, and they're, you know, eager to work with everyone. That's great. Yeah. I think as, as we evolve. I could see, um, auditioning, you know, at least to put students maybe into um mm-hmm. Levels. Mm-hmm. If we had like multiple trips, like classes or, and then hopefully it'll get to the point where we, you have to audition cuz you just have so many, so many, yes.

That is the, that's the dream. We're just, we're gonna Right? Yes. Yeah. We're gonna put that out. And, you know, there's something to be said with mixing the beginners and the intermediates and the advance. Yes. Because the beginners are really gonna learn. Um, and then as long as you have support for your advance, so they don't feel like that, they're just there to be an example, you know, but they're, they can actually thrive and Yeah.

Mm-hmm. And whatnot. So Yeah. That's good. And when so much of what we're doing, it will be individually based, you know, they're song coachings or they're on camera work or mm-hmm. Um, yeah. And then our choreographers, um, I've been telling them all, you know, make it. They're good. They can do anything. So, you know, make it accessible Yeah.

For a beginner, but give those challenges, you know? Mm-hmm. You do a three step turn or you do a triple beer wet, you know. Oh goodness. Speaker poison. Exactly. Let's see where you fall. Yeah. Is there like a little showcase at the end or you'll Yeah, we're gonna be, um, calling it a share case to make it I like that a little less, uh, I love it.

Pressure for the kids. Yes. Yes. So on the last day, we're gonna invite, um, their families who have traveled up with them. Oh, nice. Okay. And, uh, and some of our artists to come back and be in the studio all together and get to see the little bits of what they learned. Oh, they're gonna have such a blast. Yeah, I know.

Now, did they all, um, choose where they were gonna be staying or was that included? Um, so this time around mm-hmm. I chose kind of a home base hotel. Mm-hmm. Uh, the civilian hotel. It's a newer hotel, um, in Times Square on, uh, 48th and eighth. Okay. So just a. Block off of like the direct chaos, you know, you know where that is.

You all were just there, right? We're just there. Yeah. Yeah. 48. That's a great, nice little central. Yeah. So I chose that. I, we worked out like a group, uh, group for them if they wanted to stay there. Mm-hmm. Um, and that's where we'll kind of, the kids will meet every morning. Perfect. Get them. We'll take them to the studio.

Um, so some of the families are staying there. Mm-hmm. And some chose to stay, you know, at other places and they'll just get their kids Gotcha. There and back. Mm-hmm. Well, that's good. I'll have that camaraderie. I know. And this Australian is a, I haven't been there yet. It's only been open for, um, super a year, but really cool.

It was designed by a, um, a Broadway set designer. Oh, really? Wow. And, um, it's, he's also John Acon of restaurants and, and other hotels. But this hotel in particular is all, um, it's kind of Broadway themed. Mm-hmm. Uh, and there are little, you know, in the walls, there'll be these little glass cases, um, with like original set design sketches.

And that's so I can remember. I think definitely. Yeah. Instead of an Airbnb can work out. Oh my God. Not at all. It sounds like a mini, um, museum of Broadway. Yeah. Yeah. Like a Yeah, it's a little taste. That's fun. Yeah. How nice is that? So you also have a couple summer camps coming up as well? Yes. Do you still have openings at those or?

Yes. Okay. Yeah. So let's talk about that. Yeah. Yes. So summer camp's coming up, um, we do still have some openings. Um, I kind of, uh, in looking at all of the different summer camp offerings mm-hmm. In Polk County, which quite a few, there are so many, which is amazing. Mm-hmm. I mean, what a great problem to have.

Hmm. Uh, which one do I go to? Um, so I, I went ahead and chose kind of a book ends mm-hmm. Weeks. So I'm doing one the first week of June. Mm-hmm. And then, um, kind of July 31st through the first week of August. Okay. Um, at the, the beginning and ends of the summer. Um, yes. And that'll be, uh, a week long, five days, uh, nine to four.

Um, that one I do open it up to rising fifth graders. Mm-hmm. Cause I find it can be a good opportunity for them to start to, you know, Let's jump into the deep end a little bit with the big kids. Yeah. Um, but yeah, it'll be just camp is one of my favorite, uh, times of the year because it's just nonstop.

Mm-hmm. All the kids wanna be there. Yes. There's no grades, there's no, you know, it's there to have a good time and learns and stuff, and they're doing what they like. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. So, mm-hmm. It'll be a lot of fun. I've got, um, a couple of interns helping out in the first session. Uh, Abby Rogers, who is currently studying musical theater, uh, just finished her junior year at Drake University.

Um, she was a Harrison alum as well, and was my voice student. Um, she's gonna help me out, uh, teaching the first session and then the second session, um, another, uh, Polk County alum, uh, Zoe Steelman. Okay. Who's gonna come in and, and help me with that one and we'll, um, okay. We'll also do at each of them, Um, a virtual zoom, uh, masterclass.

Okay. With somebody either on a national tour or working in New York right now, um, in little q and a with them. So they still get Yeah. A little taste of beyond, right. Beyond, you know, cook County. Oh, that's great. Yeah. And where are the camps gonna be held? Those will be held at Highland School Dance. Okay, nice.

Down in south comb. Yes. Great. I was gonna say right near us, but you guys not right near me. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's great. So you've got a pretty stacked resume leading into this.

How did it start? Like how, how did everything start up and how did you end up where you are now? Oh, it's a long, it's a long question. Probably long answer now. No, I know. How long is this podcast? As long as it needs to. Yeah, that's, um, all the needs be. How did it start? Well, I grew up here in Lakeland. Uh, I grew up dancing at Highlands.

Mm-hmm. Uh, which is again, just such a beautiful full circle moment that they have kind of welcomed me, opened the doors again to me. Um, I fell in love with dance, thought I'd be a dancer. Dancer, dancer. And then I went to Lotton Childs for middle school. Mm-hmm. Fell in love with chorus. Okay. Uh, I had my first solo in fifth grade, uh, at Pancake Breakfast.

Uh, it was an understudy moment, uh, which kinda set my tone for my career. Right. Um, but yes, at the last minute, the, the girl who was supposed to sing the solo was sick and I had to run in and sing the solo. And I, anyways, I got the itch. Yeah. And I liked singing and I liked being, you know, I knew I liked being on stage.

And, um, so I studied for a year with Christina Sale. Mm-hmm. Uh, and she prepared me for my Harrison audition and then went to. Harrison for musical theater. Mm-hmm. Um, my voice teacher while I was there was Cece Ingram. Oh, yeah. Who's still there? Yes. Doing beautiful costume. Oh my gosh. Oh, mines her costume outta control.

Oh my gosh. Um, yeah, so then it was Harrison, Harrison, Harrison. Uh, and I just loved it. I mean, I loved everyone there. Um, what many musicals did you guys do there? No, and I was thinking the same question. I know you, my freshman year we did, uh, it was Mr. Saga's first year Wow. At Harrison. And, uh, we did, we like created our own musical.

Mm-hmm. It's called Sounds of the City. Uh, so we kind of sang a little from everything. That's good. That's pretty cool. Yeah. And then we did Joseph. Mm-hmm. Okay. Uh, Paul Hughes directed that one I remember. And I honestly can't remember when we did that spring. That's okay. Uh, we did the mus uh, the music man.

That was my senior year. Okay. Yes. Okay. Uh, And the King and I, that was my junior year, and our last show was Songs for a New World. Okay. Wow. That was, that was pretty unforgettable. Um, but yeah, I had the most amazing small class at Harrison. Um, there were five of us. Wow. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. S size of what it is now.

Yeah. Yeah. It's tiny. And is that the way it always used to be? Was it all or was your year kind of, of an anomaly? We were particularly small, but it was, uh, maybe there was like one class of 10. Mm-hmm. And ev all the other classes were smaller. Mm-hmm. Yes, yes. Generally it was smaller. Okay. Um, and we actually, our senior year, we added three students.

Um, it was the year the hurricane, uh, came through New Orleans. Oh, right, Katrina. Yes. Okay. Yes. And it wiped out their performing art, uh, their performing arts school, NOCA. Oh gosh. And so, um, Harrison opened the doors and mm-hmm. Let these students, uh, come join us and me. Goosebumps. Yeah. Yeah. And they lived, they lived with some, um, administrators and families, and it was Wow.

It was really, yeah, it was, it was really, um, an amazing experience. That's awesome to get to. So. Mm-hmm. We brought them and so we, we ended as a theater community, you know what I mean? I know that's We do. Oh yeah. It's just what they do. Yeah. Oh, it's amazing. So while you were at Harrison, you, did you continue dance training outside of school?

Yes. And voice lessons and, okay. Yes. So I, so working on the triple threat the whole time. Yes. And so I was very busy. I was always at Highlands if I wasn't at rehearsal or after rehearsal mm-hmm. I was at Highlands. Um, yes. And always studying, uh, with cc. Mm-hmm. Um, I also, my, the summer before my senior year, I did a summer program, um, called Broadway Theater Project.

Mm-hmm. Um, at the time it was run by Anne Ranking. Mm-hmm. Uh, and yeah, that was. It happened to be in Tampa. Uh, kids came from all over the country. Um, but we lucked out. It was in Tampa, so we stayed for three weeks. It's nice being at one of the Y destination locations. So we stayed there in the dorms for three weeks and, um, and studied with, oh my gosh.

I mean, Ben and Wow. Jeff Goldblum. And, um, I mean, I, the list was, it was wild. Mm-hmm. Um, that was really, I went in and auditioned for the music man right after that, that summer intensive. Yeah. And I got the role of Marian, the librarian, and I'll never forget, um, Mr. SK was like, well, congratulations, um, but you know, I really didn't see this for you.

Ah-huh. But I'm really proud of you. Wow. Yeah. And that was you really big for me. Yes. Feel like mm-hmm. I did something I. Was super focused this summer I worked really hard. Mm-hmm. And I'm coming back home. Mm-hmm. And you know, that's, there was a little proof there and there was a little, and that was, that was really encouraging to me.

Oh, okay. Yeah. Well, and on that same vein, I think it's important for the kids to get opportunities outside of what they're used to, because you might pick up something from this teacher or this teacher that really just pushes you over the edge, which mm-hmm. Is what it sounds like happened. Yes. Not getting comfortable where you are with what you have, but going to Broadway beginnings are different things.

Yes. And I was, I mean, oh my gosh. Going to, I can still remember, I was so nervous going to this Broadway theater project and Oh. With all I did in, I didn't know a single student. I didn't know anybody. And I was terrified. Yeah, I bet. But by the end, yeah. Yeah, it was, it was really, that's great. It was really inspiring.

Really life changing. Do they still have that project going? No. You know, it's funny, I, I was looking it up, uh, not, not too long ago, and No, I think. Covid it looked to me. Mm-hmm. Like they had not come back, um mm-hmm. After Covid. But a lot of the people, uh, who worked with that, um, now have another shoot off of that, um, called Musical Theater Project.

Okay. I think it's, no, well, I'm forgetting now. It's okay. We get it wrong all the time. It's okay. Don't worry about it. Performing Arts project. Performing Arts Project. What? It's, yes. And that's in, oops, I get a friend. Yeah. You and that one. I think it's in North Carolina. Okay. Similar thing. Okay. Okay. Gotcha.

Yeah. Never, never fails You always you train or a bird or something. That Flowers. I know he's like a muffler or sl. I think he put that one together himself. It has a big old gas tank on it. It's not a motorcycle. It sounds like a lawnmower. I know. You can, smells like one. It's like they just cut the grass.

It does. Yeah. I'm pretty sure. Morning. Yeah. Feels very much like that. I think he just, uh, put that together. Yeah, it's okay. All right. So your college audition process, how is that for you? Oh my gosh. Um, so we have a lot of friends who have just gone through it and it feels like in just the past 10, 15 years it has changed dramatically.

Well, I'm glad you said that cuz Yes. Mm-hmm. It hats my college audition process. Um, so this was, I graduated high school in oh six. Mm-hmm. Uh, so it was before it changed a lot. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Uh, so I auditioned at, um, four schools. Wow. Florida State, Elon, Cincinnati, ccm and Carnegie Mellon. Okay. Mm-hmm. Um, that was it.

Uh, But the world of college audition, it just had not blown up the way that it has. Um, so you could audition for, you know, just a handful. A handful, you know, maybe 10 was like a lot, you know? Uh, which I know now 10 is like a 11. That's not even right. To really more than that. It's like 20th. It's, you know, from what we're learning.

Yes. That's crazy. Yeah. So it was very different. Prescreens and all of that. Yes. Unified. Did you have any, none of that existed. Wow. Nope. Uh, unified did exist. Mm-hmm. But it just wasn't, um, it wasn't as necessary mm-hmm. To go. Yeah. Um, it was more kind of a benefit for the kids who could access that, but it wasn't as like, now I feel like it's mandatory.

Oh, mandatory. Do you want a chance? Put yourself out there. Do you think the volume of musical theater. Um, candidates has just blown up that much. That, that it's required. Like what's pushing Yeah. You know, is it that, that I think the popularity of the program is just, yeah. It feels like mainstream. I was gonna say access mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. To musical theater, whether it be these filmed productions that are on Disney Plus that are on, in just social media. Mm-hmm. Yes. You know, when I was auditioning, excuse me, um, we didn't have any of that. Mm-hmm. So just the number of kids who knew about musical theater, who had access Right. To what that was and what it could be, and, uh, to spark that dream.

I, I just think it was less accessible. Mm-hmm. Right, right. Anyway. And so I do think it's just the sheer number of candidates now. Yeah. That make it, you have to have pre-screens, you have so much more competitive, you know, Logical. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And I'd like to think too, that as a society we've kind of grown more accepting Yes.

To that. Yeah. You know? Yes. Geeky. Exactly. Yeah. You don't have to talent to school to become a doctor, a lawyer. Yep. A teacher, you know, like all of these things. And then now it's like, oh, you can actually do musical theater for like, you know, a career and you can get educated in it. Yes. You know, it's not like just going, becoming an actor.

An actor Yes. You know? Yes. Right. Or a singer or whatever. Now you can learn about it. Yeah. Which is great. Absolutely. Yeah. So my audition process, it was, you know, it was fun. We, like, we traveled, my mom and I traveled to each school. Yeah. Uh, and, and did the, did the auditions and, um, yeah, I, I was accepted into Elon mm-hmm.

And Florida State. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, and then decided I'm Florida State is where my, my gut was pulling me. You know, I think I was excited to go to college, uh, was very excited to go to college. Um, but. The idea that Florida State, um, had as you know, elevated a program as they did, but was still only four ish hours from home.

And yeah. And I had some friends going, my little, um, Harrison group, um, All five of us went to Florida. Oh my God. Oh wow. That so nice. Two of us from musical school theater that, so that was awesome. You go off to college year, start all over again. Yeah, I know. We were spoiled. That's nice to have a wingman, you know?

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Nice. I hear they have a great program. Yes. We know somebody up there. Yeah, we do. Wants to, uh, join us on the podcast actually, so Yeah. Sweet. A minor so we can talk about him all. Oh, he's fabulous. How would love? Yes, he's amazing. I, I love, he's a little celebrity down here. Yeah. Oh yeah. I, I like his, like tos when he is up there now at fsu and he is like doing stuff.

Yes. It gives you an inside glimpse to like, what's happening up there. Yes. Social media is great for that stuff. I know. And he's one of those kids too, who's like super, super talented and yet, Super humble and like Yeah. So we'll talk to our little kids and, you know. Yeah. And he comes to the shows every time he's down here.

And that's a four hour drive through nothing. Yeah. Yes. That is a long drive. It's cause Mikayla did two summer programs up there for two. Oh, right. Mm-hmm. Oh yeah. Cause she really loved their, you know, their summer programs. Yep. And she wants to go up there. Mm-hmm. So we'll see how that goes. Yeah. Oh, that would be better than New York for y'all.

I know. Plus then she could get like bright futures. Yes. Let's put that in the us It's there. And she's looking at, uh, Ringling for Oh, um, uh, illustration and yeah. Drawing and stuff. So yeah, she's kind of torn. Anyway, we're off topic. Well, I know that's exciting next year. Oh yeah. Yeah. It's gonna be one more year left with her.

Holy mo. Yeah. But the process is gonna start soon though. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, I mean, that's probably a huge difference between, you know, when we were all going to college and stuff. Mm-hmm. Like I had someone come down and recruit me. I never even had to pick. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So I don't even know where to start now.

Mm-hmm. Uh, her guidance counselor, we met with her this past, uh, year, uh, like, I don't know, in March or something, and she gave us this big. Folder full of stuff and I was like, oh God.

And she's not even doing anything as hard as musical theater. Like when we get to Pinky's, I don't know what I'm gonna do. Hire college audition pros or whatever. Yeah. Yeah. She's gonna be a few years before she's gonna be ready to do that. I know. I gotta start saving now. Yeah. So Pink is just accepted into Harrison, so she's gonna start there.

Oh, she's like year two will be there soon. Lily. Kate's next year, next year's auditions for her. Yay. Yeah. I know. We were talking about yesterday's, like it's finally like this switch has flipped. Like, okay. Mm-hmm. We're about done with this year and now we know where our focus is for next year. Yep. Gotta pivot.

Yeah. Yeah. And she's gonna get real sick of those songs she does for District State. Cause she's gonna probably do that for Harrison for auditions too now Paris Junior Thespians, right? Yes. Okay. Yes, that's right. Yep. Yes, I was at it all at it. All the Junior cus I Fun hosted Junior Thespian Club and the High School of Thespian Club.

Oh wow. At All Saints and uh, and so I was at every district and the state and Act Best and Oh, they have so much fun. They are a lot of much fun. Oh, getting to see all the other kids perform and meeting people. Yes. Oh yeah. I highly recommend those for anyone who No stars. Yeah. Mm-hmm. It's so fun. Yeah.

Already starting to think about that. Well, yeah. I, we finish this year once, chill out. I don't know what that's gonna be for. We we're not doing it together. Now know, what am I gonna do? I have to rely on PI to bring the information. No, you're screwed. I am screwed. She's, I never get the flyers like I have to rely on Angela and Lily Kate, who's Yeah.

Spot on. Yeah. She's her mother in that regard. I think she's got that shit down. Gosh, I didn't even think about that. So does Pinky now that she's gonna be in Harrison, do they not do that? Do they do Sines? Uh, you know this cuz you've done it with Stella. Oh yeah. Does Stella do they do in the junior year?

I mean, excuse me. Sophomore year they go and perform that. Yep. It wasn't the same when you were there year. So only the sophomore year. Do they, the freshman year is like about adjusting. Mm-hmm. I think. Mm-hmm. That's, that's the tone I keep getting. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Just getting your feedback. Just get in here and comfortable and get used to it.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Okay. It's big adjusting and learn a lot. Yeah. The upper classmen. Yeah. Yeah. All right. It's a big deal. I have questions. I think we kinda tiptoed to college. Yeah. College, college. College and college. Awesome. Any advice you have for kids Getting ready of Facebook College was awesome. Okay. Oh my gosh.

I loved my college experience. I love watching Bo in all of his, it makes me so nostalgic. Mm-hmm. Um, for just for the, the safe spaces that were there. Mm-hmm. Um, and, and the people I made my best friends, uh, are from my college mm-hmm. Experience. Um, oh. Plus my, you know, my high school ones who went to college with, it was a blend.

It was a blend. Blend. Yeah. Yeah. But my, I mean, our program, one of the beauties of, of studying in musical theater and no matter where you go, is that you're, you automatically have mm-hmm. Your own little club. Right. You know your favorite of kids, who it's your people. Yes. Yeah. And it's just, it was the biggest gift.

Yeah. It's a place to belong. Yeah. Yeah. You don't have to go fight for and figure out. Yep. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And, and it gave us that, I mean, we, you know, when we moved up to New York, we had a whole network, not just of the, of the Florida State, you know, students who I was at school with, but the alums who were there before me, who, you know, you run into anyone and it's one degree of separation.

Yeah. It's so small. Yes, yes. And if it's a Florida state, it's not even a degree of separate. It's, you know, oh, I've heard, or I know you, I know, you know, oh, you are living with so-and-so and mm-hmm. Um, it was, I, it it was life saving. So after graduation, you were like, we're going to New York City, we're gonna, gosh, we're gonna give it a shot.

Yes. So I, I, we went up to New York, a lot of programs do, um, a showcase at the end of your senior year. Mm-hmm. Uh, so they took us up. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yep. Ours was at the, um, Alvin AI Theater. Mm-hmm. Uh, and they invite casting directors, agents, and Oh wow. And, um, It just people from the industry, uh, to come watch.

Yep. And you get this sheet afterwards and they, they check off if they, um, you know, maybe they just want you to come drop off a hedge John resume at their office, or maybe they wanna set up a meeting with you, uh, so you can get this sheet back and it's like your little map for the first week that you're in the, you know, in the city.

And I was just, I mean, I'm a pretty Segal and like, go, go, go. So, you know, I get that sheet back in day one. I wake up and I'm like, all right, where are we going today? I'm gonna drop off here, here, here, and here. You know, I'm gonna call down by day two. Yeah, exactly. So I was also, um, going to auditions that week.

I had planned, oh, we'll do showcase on Monday and I'll, I'll stay for the week. Um, and it was, it was a really exciting week. Um, I ended up in callbacks for the Legally Blonde tour that week and Ooh, all kinds of things. I just really got fun one by the, by the bug and felt like, Okay, I'm ready. And I, I had kind of planned to come home for the summer.

Yeah. Um, not so much. And then I, yeah. I called my dad, uh, yeah. My mom was traveling and I called my dad and said, um, I'm gonna come home. Like, I had a flight that weekend or something, but, uh, I'm gonna come back in a week and just stay. I'm just, it's time, you know? I kind felt like the ball was rolling. Why I, was I gonna step off of it?

Right? Yeah. Yeah. So to keep going, we packed up much more quickly than I had anticipated and, and moved up. And, um, I was staying on a, a friend's couch. Mm-hmm. And then she was going to do a job for the summer. So then I moved into her room. Uh, while I was looking for apartments, um, found an apartment on Craigslist.

Okay. Uh, I know, I know. I don't recommend that to anyone. Feels diocese, though. A little bit of a different I'm, uh, yeah, but I was up there. Another friend of one of my good friends, um, is a playwright, uh, David Kimball. He and I were, we were there at the same time. We were looking for apartments. We were.

Mm-hmm. We got jobs at the same restaurant. We found this apartment together. We found roommates. Um, we ended up calling it The Deck Hotel after, uh, living there for three years because it was a three bedroom. We had bunk beds in the biggest bedroom, so it was set up for four, sometimes there were five one on the couch.

It was just this like revolving door, sublet, revolving door for three years. But we made the most amazing memories and for a bunch of kids, mostly from Florida. Um, we were living, it was in Astoria, uh, in Queens. Uh, which is where many, many, many, uh, entertainment industry I actually live there. Yeah. It's a wonderful, wonderful neighborhood, um, with amazing Greek food.

Mm-hmm. But we lived in this apartment that had all these sliding glass doors, which is super rare. Yeah. Yeah. Random. Yeah. Uh, and we had a roof deck. Wow. And we, I mean, it was, it was, it was like a hangar spot. Yeah. Not super close to the train, but, uh, when we got there, it was, it was just like, it was worth it.

Such an awesome spot for us all to kind of together. Yeah. Figure it out for the first three years. Mm-hmm. Um, yeah. So I moved up, I moved up right away and just started working at a restaurant, just doing, doing the, you know, like you see in movies. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Literally, uh, was. Pounding pavement, looking for restaurant jobs, wearing heels.

And uh, this was a, this was a early city, uh, learning moment and broke a heel. Oh, oh my god. Uh, while walking, hopped into, you know, Nordstrom Rack or something, bought some sensible flats and, uh, never wore heels in the city again. Bless sense. Makes sense. Why would you do that? Yeah. Florida girl coming up here wearing heels.

Exactly. Yeah. Oh gosh. So what was your first show that you booked when you were in New York? Oh my gosh. Uh, like your first job? Mm-hmm. My first job was, uh, uh, an off Broadway production of Angelina Ballerina. Okay. So it was a little, it was a little kinda junior musical. Mm-hmm. Um, about Angelina. It was at the Union Square Theater on 14th Street.

Um, and I was a swing. Nice. And so I covered Angelina and her friend. I can't remember her name exactly. And then, um, There was a featured, oh, this is a good story. There's a featured, uh, point mouse, right? I can't remember her name either. Uh, and so they hired me really to do Angelina and the friend. Mm-hmm.

Um, they rehearsed me in person to do the friend cuz they knew that that cast member was gonna be out. Right. So planning. Yep. So two days in a studio with one other person and I learned the show. And then for the other two roles, they gave me a vhs. Oh gosh. Of rehearsal and said, learn it. So I would be in my apartment singing this song about Cannon Bear, my roommate.

Your roommates were like, my roommates are dying. Uh, mocking me. Um, hold on, let me, let me, uh, yeah, rewind the vhs. Hang on. I didn't, what? Didn't catch that. Literally let's doley to see You just do my best. Is that arm? It's arm? Yeah. Oh my God. I need truly wild times. This is on off Broadway theater. I mean, he's legit.

Um, So that's how I learned Angelina and I I did perform Angelina. It's like the main character. Yes. Here's your take. Yes, yes. Main character. That's hilarious. Never had a rehearsal, never had to put in nothing. Wow. But I did it. It was really fun. Uh, they either had lots of faith in you. Yeah, I guess so. Or they were like dazzled him.

It's gonna be fun. Exactly. She'll be entertaining. Yeah. Audience is still love. It'll be that it's all good. And then one Sunday morning they called me and said, you're going on for the prompt Mouse was like, I haven't done point, I didn't, I did not continue studying. Mm-hmm. Point into college. Right? Yeah.

Um, it just wasn't as accessible and mm-hmm. I really didn't have time. And, uh, so I had point shoes in my big dance bag still that had not been touched for four and a half years. Oh. Or something. Yeah. And hopefully still fit. Right. Did a crack when you stood on it. Yes. Oops, sorry. Check the video. Okay. Get my point Shoes.

My first night video, I'm off to the train. Oh my God. But it's Sunday morning and the train's not coming and the train's not coming. Oh, no. And the train's not coming. I'm like, and this is before Uber or anything. Yeah. So then I go down the street and it's Sunday morning, so there are like no taxis. So I'm waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting.

Oh no. Finally get a taxi and I'm late, so late calling the stage manager. I make it like, oh gosh, 10 minutes before the show or something. Luckily she was, She's in like two scenes, you know, comes out in like bores and, um, and I, but you gotta put your mouse on. I got to put my unit hard on. Yeah. So I, like, quickly, I think I did my makeup in the ca in the taxi, you know, and I quickly got suited up and I just beed my way across the stage and did about half of the real choreography.

I did all the arms. And there you go. Never the end's like you. Thank you. And I was like, this was the most terrifying experience. My, yeah. And then your feet were probably like, what? What in the, what are you doing? Yeah. Oh my gosh. I haven't thought about that muscle memory. I always tell my kids, the audience doesn't know what you're supposed to be doing.

Just look like you know what you're supposed to be doing. It's all about that confidence. Smile on your face like, I'm

borre is what it is. Hold my beer. I got a, my beer. I'll be right back.

Yeah. And then I probably went to brunch. I'm sure you did. Celebrated or whatever, and you're like, don't ever call me for that again. I know. Yeah. I guess there's not a big demand for point and. Musical theater. No. Not a big demand. Yeah. No. But it's probably something really cool to have on your resume.

Sure. For situations like this, you know, special skills section. Yeah. It's nice and rounded out. Yeah, exactly. We had a kid in Madeline that we uhhuh put in a position to be Yeah. You know, doing ballerina, similar ballerina moves. Yeah. Mm-hmm. She had to help Gabby go, she did hold her hands. The tightrope. It was a, a metal bar.

Yeah. It was a, it was probably about yay thick so she could walk across her child. She was like the Whitlock. Mm-hmm. Her child's foot. She did, yeah. She was like deep, I mean, I was, any fear every time. Saw, every time she was ready, wings, like ready to catch, like I thought I could catch her. She was wobbling.

She had an un hands, the, the ballerina was on point on the, so this, so the stand was like a bar, like a ladder and a ladder and then a bar between, and it was on a platform that we could roll on and off and had breaks. Okay. But the platform is a little wider than the bar. So the Prine is on the platform on that.

On point on with her hand up. Oh boy. She and Matt was on the other side. Oh yeah. Failure fall.

And so she like a little parasol or whatever in her hand, and then her other hand up to hold Gabby as she went across. Oh my. Yeah, that was so, had her hand a lot. She had a little parasol. Responsibility is like, yeah. But she did great. She did. She's amazing. She held her and Yeah. She never fell. No. Mm.

Thank God. Mm-hmm. Mt. That's cause you guys weren't even there yet. It was, we weren't even in tech at that point. The first time she went up on that thing. And she kind of, and I was like, alright, no, it's great. This isn't go work guys. No, she did great. She was got up there a couple times cuz she had that little flowy skirt.

Mm-hmm. Or whatever it would be concerning because you'd think that her foot was gonna catch that skirt as she went up that last little thing. But she would just Yeah. That little platform landing. Yeah. Before they'd get started on the bar. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Anyway, kids are resilient. Yes. They all the challenges.

So it's fine. Challenge, she didn't care. She was like, I did it. And then the um, the awesome girl that was doing Point just held onto her the whole time. Like you didn't Yeah, she was, she didn't wave. She, because we were like, oh my gosh, if she falls she's gonna pull Gabby. Mm-hmm. And Gabby's gonna fall.

Well if Gabby falls, like she could pull her. So they both had to like be in sync and be walking at the same speed and Yeah, they did great. It's a lot the fact that she was on point. Super impressive. It was really cool. Yeah. Yes. A great special skill. Yeah. Yeah. So if you do point dance, keep it up. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. Do you have other special skills? Could, yeah. No. I dunno. Yeah. Sometimes you don't know you have one until someone asks for it. You're like, oh, pretend I can do that. I can, I can swing dance. No problem. We put on thinking special skills that she could clap her feet. Oh my gosh. You did not. We did. But that was appropriate because we were doing a circus show.

Right? It was, yes, it was for that. Oh my gosh. Did you put it Lily Kate gripper to I know. I should have. She could. Yeah. You never know what those circus side shows are gonna be like. Yeah. Never know. Yeah. All right. Back to you. Yeah. Sorry. This bro. This is great. Yeah. Okay. So after the ballerina, the ballerina, uh, after the ballerina, I, um, I came home that summer to teach camp at, uh, theater Winter Haven.

Mm-hmm. Okay. And. Uh, ended up staying and doing Avida. Oh. Um, they kinda tempted me for mm-hmm. Sure. Yeah. So I did Avida, uh, and that was super fun. Uh, and it was just so good to be home and to be, you know, uh, and was that at Winterhaven or at Winter Haven. Okay. Yeah. So I just kind of spent nine to nine at Winter Haven that whole summer.

Mm-hmm. Um, yeah, but it was really fun. Was fun. The theater too, they're great over there. Oh my gosh. Yes. Well, and since the renovations too. Mm-hmm. Like they've got so much more space and Yeah. Oh my gosh. We have that new theater. Yeah. And they are, they're busy all the time. Yeah. Yeah. That's wonderful. Yeah.

Um, and while I was actually at the Winter Haven, I got a phone call that I had booked, the Wizard of Oz National Tour. Oh, nice. I wanna hear about this. Yes. Because Spins and how that all worked. Oh my gosh, yes. Um, so I went on tour starting, uh, that September, I think it was. Um, and it was, so this tour was a non-union tour.

Okay. Uh, and it was the third year that this tour had been out. Mm-hmm. So, you know, they had hit a lot of cities mm-hmm. In the first two years. Uh, and most non-union tours are a couple days here. A couple days maybe you get a week, and that's like a treat. Okay. Somewhere. Uh, so by the third year, it's a lot of one night, one nighters.

Mm-hmm. Okay. Uh, so it was lots of travel, lots of travel, lots of bus time. Mm-hmm. Um, and I was hired with the additional, uh, responsibility. Uh, so I, I was in the ensemble, you know, I was a munchkin, I was a poppy dancer, I was an aian. All the things. Uh, I understudied Dorothy. Mm-hmm. And I was the local munchkin director.

So the production company would contact, um, oh my gosh, other like theater Yeah. Theater groups or dance schools or something in each city we were going to, they would send them, I think at this point it was a dvd. Um, I graduated DVD and all of the like, you know, basically play by play of the munchkin scene.

Okay. They were to cast 10 kids and then we show up the day of the show. I show up to the theater, um, as early as we got in town, and I would meet the munchkins in a rehearsal hall, wherever we were, and I would go, I would review everything with them. Mm-hmm. And sometimes they were little ballerinas and they were amazing and they knew everything and all I had to do was get character out of them or something, you know?

Yeah. And sometimes they had cast. 15 kids. Oh no. And they knew nothing essentially. And those groups, I would have to say, well, you're gonna wear a hat and you are gonna wear a jacket, and you. Dance faculty will have to figure out the rest. Yeah. And you're just gonna follow this person, you know, and you're not gonna sing.

Yes. Kidding.

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so it was, you never knew what you were facing new. And so, and everyone would be anxious to know, cause I, oh my gosh. I'd go early, I'd rehearse them, I'd kind of figure out the game plan and then the rest of the cast would get there and the rest of the adult munchkins mm-hmm. Would come out and we would do a run, real run through on stage with the adult munchkins as well.

And so they'd always be like, just travel. They were like part of the show, right? Yeah. Yes. Yes. They were with us. Gotcha. So they'd, you know, they'd come to me and be like, all right, what are we dealing with today? Yeah. You know, and I'm like, oh, they're amazing. Or I'm like, oh, hold their hands. Hold their hands.

There's moving pieces. There's, yeah. Yeah. And so that was, that was a wild adventure and a good, you know, I look back at all these little teaching experiences and, and see how Yeah. You know, life, life kind of, that totally bores you for you. Yeah. Um, but that was a, that was a really big, uh, challenge in, in tiptoe into teaching parents.

Did you, to pair you for what you're doing. Yeah. Yeah. Did you have to deal with the parents? Not really. No night we actually, yeah. Whole other level. That's what I'm saying. Like, my kids only has such and such, like what are doing? Yeah. No, I do remember. Or closed. Closed rehearsals. Yeah. Yeah. So that we got there and the kids just come into the rehearsal all and um, we, we, I don't even remember if we had maybe like their, you know, their teacher, their coach.

Mm-hmm. Like their one person, like their representative or whatever. Wow. They were just with us. Yes. Yeah. It was exhausting, but it was incredible. Yeah. We, in the span of, um, that tour was six months or something. We were in upstate New York. We were in Florida, we were in Southern California and Washington State.

Oh my gosh. Wow. And everywhere in between, in about six months. So we did see so much of the country. Mm-hmm. We saw so many theaters, um, and, and we became very close. Mm-hmm. Um, yeah, it was, it was wild. Um, But it was, do you like live on the bus when you're doing that or do they put you in a hotel? Hotels.

Yeah. Yes. Um, so we did one overnight bus ride, um, which was illegal. And you're not supposed to do that? No. Um, I think we all barked about that one. The bus driver was like, we're going doing, not stopping. I didn't doing it. Stop ran bus's bus. I understand. Yeah. I get that. Yeah. Go Texas. You just gotta get the guy when you're the guy that's driving, you just wanna get it done.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. He was like, take some better. Would you have a chance to see the different cities when you were there? Or are you pretty much like, show we gotta go? Yeah, so it was interesting, uh, being on a one nighter. It wasn't always, we had a show Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Mm-hmm. So sometimes it'd be you had a show Tuesday in.

Random example, Sioux Falls. Mm-hmm. Uh, but our next show wasn't till Thursday. Mm-hmm. Or something. Mm-hmm. So maybe we would stay in Sioux Falls an extra day and then drive, or we would drive and get to the next city early. Okay. A day early. Um, so there were, I mean, I do have some bit. Sioux Falls was, uh, got core memories from there.

Uh, we went out and met people and yeah, we had time, uh, to explore. We went to the Texas State Fair. Oh, fun. Uh, we were in, we were playing Bass Hall in, in Fort Worth at the time, and our bus driver was amazed. I mean, just. We were all a big family and so he drove us to the state fair one night. Nice. Yeah.

Come on. Exactly. Barbecue Ward. Have you seen that one at our state fair? Yeah. The Mo Ward giving birth. Yeah. What? Yes. Wow. Yeah. Then they're done that don't need to do that again. Yeah. It's a once in a lifetime. Lifetime. Yeah. Check the box. I, I think I'm good without checking that box. Yeah, they're good.

Move. Yeah. So that was, wizard Oz was, it was a wonderful experience. It was a, it was a huge step. I'm adding that to my resume. Yeah, yeah. That is, it's a national tour, you know, and I bet those kids like as much as, you know, when we joke about the munchkins or whatever, but I mean, they. Probably carried those memories forever.

Kin, you know, it's amazing. Oh yeah. I'm theater. Yes. On stage. Mm-hmm. Yes. That's a big stage. Yes. Even if they never did theater again after that, right? Yeah, exactly. Or before it. Exactly. Sounds like some of them, you know? Yeah. That's great. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Okay, cool. So you did, now one theme that we've learned, and this is, this is episode 28.

Mm-hmm. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So from all the different folks that we've been had the awesome advantage to talk to, we've learned that it's a really small world. Mm-hmm. And so when you make connections, you, it is very common to either meet someone who knows them in the future or whatever. Yep. So did you meet folks and make connections on that national tour that helped you at in other projects?

Yes. Okay. Yeah, some of the, um, and even if it's, uh, helping you in that, like our associate choreographer, um, She didn't travel with us, but she rehearsed with us and um, and we just really clicked. And, um, in the future she was, um, associate choreographer on a couple of other projects mm-hmm. Down the road.

And that I, you know, would be interested in auditioning for or this or that. And, and she, um, either helped me get in the door or once I was in the door, helped me stay mm-hmm. You know, to the next round or something. Nice. Um, yeah, so definitely started to make those connections with Wizard Oz and then, um, you made connections in, in the city in the most surprising ways too.

Um, it's not always just because you did this job and you spent so much time with people, it can be a one-off experience with someone, um, at a, you know, a. At one night at party or at a party or at a, um, a friend of a friend, we're going to see this show. And then we meet and they know you did this and Oh, you're the perfect, you know, and it, yeah.

It's just being, being an active part of the community Yeah. Um, was really important. I, um, I ended up, um, the next big job I did after Wizard of Oz was, um, the Elf the Musical national tour. Uh, and that I actually, um, I mean at least got myself in the room, uh, because the choreographer for that, um, Connor Gallagher, who, um, everyone would know him as the choreographer of Beetlejuice.

Mm-hmm. On Broadway. Um, but he. I had auditioned for in those years, the, uh, national Tour of Beauty and the Beast All walked. I had been in countless times, um, for ensemble, for silly girls, for Bell, for everything. And it was just one of those that just never landed. It was never the right track for the right time.

Um, but he was the choreographer on that. And, uh, we had some friends in common. He saw me in, in the audition room a lot. Uh, I, I'm sure he's part of the reason I kept coming into the audition room. Mm-hmm. Sure. And then he called me a couple months later. Um, this was a wild experience I didn't know existed until this time.

He called me a couple months later to be a part of a small group of dancers who were, they were auditioning a cor to find a choreographer for this piece called Last Goodbye that Alex Timbers, um, who's directed, uh, muan Rouge and Biju and Beel Juice, and. Many men here lies love now. Um, but he was auditioning choreographers for a piece called Last Goodbye.

Mm-hmm. And so there were three choreographers. They were each, uh, maybe there was nine of us. They were each able to pick like three dancers, Uhhuh, who were gonna be a part of this ensemble. Sure. And Connor called me and asked me if I'd be one of those people. We hadn't worked together yet. I had just auditioned for him a million times.

Right. I feel like he worked for him. Right. Yeah. Yeah. And, and so it, things like that, it's really that you're just like, what? Yes. Um, may now would love to, but I hope this happen. Yeah. Yeah. And then we ended up working with, it was Connor and I can't remember the second, and then, um, Sonya mm-hmm. Who went on to choreograph Mullan Rouge and mm-hmm.

Uh, many other things. Um, but in, we got to spend like almost three weeks in a rehearsal room working with these three choreographers. And, um, it was, it was the. Like really wild experience, but really cool. And also I had no idea at that time, but this happened, right. Had never director, the production company is is like auditioning.

Auditioning, yeah. Choreographer is essentially, you know, trying to see like, I mean, what they're gonna makes sense that it exists when you think about it. But yeah, if you don't automatically have that, you know, director choreographer relationship going into, well it goes back to that you're always on an audition.

Yes. So you may have been to 16 other times with this guy, but something you did made him recognize it translated and he was like, you know what? I think she's gonna, she probably follows direction. Well, right? Yeah. Yes. She, yeah. Doesn't intricate, he got to like mold his team and you clearly left it, you know, a great impression.

So, so cool. Yeah. So, so cool. And then it was a couple months after that that the Elf tour came around. Mm-hmm. And yeah, it's just that, that was where I fit. There you go. You know? Um, cool. Yeah. So then we did the Elf, um, the elf was very different, uh, than, than Wizard of O It was the first national tour, so it was the first time I was going on the road after being on Broadway.

Um, you know, so we brand new costumes and all those things and I, yeah, we were playing cities for three weeks at a time. Um, yeah. And so that was a lot of fun. I ended up doing that three different, uh, holiday seasons. Wow, nice. And that's such a fun show. Yeah. Oh my God. I was in Deb at L c t when we did it.

Wait. You what? Yeah. Fun. Yeah. Was I've the show. So much fun. She was a fun show. Yeah. Yes, she did. So good. Amazing. Yeah, it was a lot of fun. It's so fun. And that was one of the first shows back, right? Yeah. That was for Covid. Yeah. They did, uh, disenchanted and then they did, uh, elephant. Yeah. I don't think there was one in between.

I don't think so. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It was really weird. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Everybody was sitting like four feet apart, right? Mm-hmm. Oh, it so fun. Yeah. It's a pure joy. So much fun. Yeah. Yep. We also did something at Radio City too. Yes. Right? Yes. Yes. And uh, so in between, I think we did, I did a year of Elf something else, A Year of Elf, um, another show off Broadway, uh, and then, uh, radio City.

Yeah. So, and that was another. Kinda interesting story of, of booking that at least. Um, again, women auditioned, um, they were creating a, a new show, a spring spectacular. So of course they have the rockets. Mm-hmm. Christmas spectacular. Um, and there were three years there where they were trying to invent a springs spectacular, hoping that they could have, uh, you know, two things a season.

Right. Um, so I went in and, uh, auditioned for a couple of different roles, did callbacks, um, and, and did not book the show. Um, and that was maybe October or November or something. And then, uh, first week of January I get a phone call from casting, uh, asking if I would be interested in being, uh, the rehearsal understudy.

Mm-hmm. For Laura. Be okay. Um, And I said, yes. Yeah, duh. Um, what? I don't quite understand what that is, but Yes, yes. Sign me up, whatever. Yes. Yeah. So they were, they start next week. Oh, wow. Um, you know, we'll need you every day. Uh, and yeah, they said at that point they knew she was gonna be gone, um, for like one week, uh, filming a TV show.

Mm-hmm. And so they knew for sure they were gonna need someone for a week. And while there were two understudies already in the ensemble mm-hmm. Um, because they're creating a new show. And at Radio City it's a, it's at such an enormous, uh, size. Mm-hmm. Um, just number of people. Um, and just the sheer, literal size of the show.

Yeah. And, and the production value. And I mean, it rained on stage. It was insane. Oh, wow. Um, that's cool. Yeah. Yeah. And so they didn't want to, for a whole week be pulling those two out of their ensemble spots, you know, as they created the show. So I said, yes, sure. Sign me up. Yeah. Uh, so they hired me and, and another, another rehearsal under study for, uh, someone to cover Derek Huff.

Mm-hmm. Because he was the, um, lead, the co-lead, um, okay. With Laura. So we sat in rehearsal for the first few weeks and did not do anything. Uh, and, and, and that's very hard to do. I mean, you're literally not like being asked to get up ever. And so, you know, you get up on your own in the back of the room, um, on breaks or, um, in smaller rehearsals you get up and you're on the side, you're marking things on the side.

Yeah. And you are, you know, you're writing a ton down and you're recording voice recording so that you can go home and sing long or whatnot. Um, but it, it, it's hard to just, to just sit there, but. To be expected, to be able to stand up at a, a moment's notice and step in. Right. Uh, and, and incredibly intimidating when you're in the room with the Rockettes, like, oh my God.

Yeah. And Derek and, and, and Warren Carlisle was the director. And I mean, it, it, it was, yeah, it was, it was very exciting, but also like quite intimidating. Um, and anyhow, so, uh, we, she was out for like half a day in rehearsal one time, so I got to step in. Um, and then we knew she was gonna be out, uh, for a week, so I was like kind of prepared to step in then.

Mm-hmm. Um, and then it was like we had our day off or something on Sunday and Monday the Sage manager called me and um, this was our first day at Radio City. Okay. So they rehearsed in this church basement. Uh, near Lincoln Center. It's like one of the only spaces that's big enough Wow. To really rehearse the size of the stage.

Um, and it was your first day at Radio City and the stage manager called me that morning and was like, you're gonna be on today. Oh, geez. And I was like, what? Sweet. Oh my gosh. Okay. Yeah. Uh, and then I was on for a month. Oh my gosh. I teched Wow. Tech at Radio City is a month long and I teched Wow. The entire production.

Uh, yes. And so, and she would pop in, uh, maybe for a day or half day or something if, if she could, um, But then it was me, so it was wild. I mean, I, wow. I got there. I get to take a show and be on stage every day with That's amazing. Did you ever off been live? Like, did you get to do that show? Okay. Yeah. So, but the whole time my job was still ending when the show opened.

Right. Oh, gotcha. Okay. Because you're just rehearsal, rehearsal. So, so I was, I was living in it. I mean, this was, I was enjoying every moment and I was making the most of it. And, um, but always, yeah, just knowing that, yeah. When the show opens I sun for me. Yeah. And I'm doing that till today.

That's me people, the audience, like, you know, whatever dude. Yeah, yeah, exactly. That was, and it was wild. I mean, they were throwing in new songs and, um, written by like the Hairspray team. Wow. Mark Shaman and, and Scott Whitman. I mean, it was, wow. It was wild. Um, but, Yeah. So then, uh, I wanna say a couple of days before what was supposed to be the end of my contract, um, Warren Carlisle pulled me out into the lobby of Radio City and was basically like, will you stay?

Oh, will you please stay? I'm gonna put you in the ensemble. Um, and you are gonna be the first cover for Laura. There's just, we can't do it any other way. Oh, my calendar, I'm you in? Oh, no, no. That's yes. Is that the truth? Your job then you go the kindest. Totally. Just the kindest. Yeah. That's awesome.

Welcoming and, and everything. And so, yes. So they plugged me into the ensemble, um, and I stayed. And so I did get to go on. Nice. Uh, and um, the first time I went on was a surprise. Uh, And I got the call, I was down in, um, Washington Square Park with a friend of mine at like three in the afternoon. And, and they called and said I was gonna go on that evening.

It was not, it was maybe a week after we'd opened. Wow. Um, and my parents were coming up that weekend. Oh, that's awesome. And my dad, I think it was a Thursday night. My dad was, he was on his way to the Tampa airport, like when I got the call and I called him, I'm going on tonight. He's like, what? He literally got on his flight to straight to Radio City.

Oh my gosh. At seven 30 when the show started. And so, wow. The house crew knew, they knew that my dad was coming. Mm-hmm. They had his seat. They took his luggage. When he got, he just like handed them as vocal and like they walked him into his seat and he got to see my first performances were pretty wild.

That is awesome. And then I went on, that's kind of meant to be the next night. My mom was there too. And so that was, yeah, that was really cool. It was really special. Um, that's nice when things line up like that. Yeah. It seems wild as outta your drawing. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So then I got, I had a few scheduled performances, which was, which is really nice.

That does not happen often as an understudy. Yeah. Um, but when you're working with someone like Laura Bee who has a schedule is in demand, she's, she's gonna miss some things. And so I was able to invite friends and um, and people to come see me and celebrate in that with me. That's so awesome. Are there any videos out there that we can watch of any of them?

There's some little, like little snippet moments. Yeah. Again, it. That was in, I mean, I know you're not supposed to video, but Yeah, I know. But they all exist. Yeah. Yeah. It was like, you know, there's little moments out there that was, it was in 2015 though, and I feel like it was today. Mm-hmm. Maybe. Oh yeah.

Yeah. So many. Mm-hmm. Right. And so there's, there's a couple, there's a couple little moments. Yeah. Um, I know there's, there was um, a big waltz dance, um, that like, started with Derek and I, and then like the entire line of the Rockettes lined up behind me and we all dance like around there. There's a video out there of that at that.

Oh, that's awesome. Scene. I know. Which is, how was he to work with? Was he super nice? Super nice. Yeah. Really like playful is very like fun spirited, you know, like young at heart. Yeah. Um, good. I think growing up in the industry, you know, kind of. Yeah. Well I think you can either go that way or you can go very different way.

Right? Yeah. Um, but that's true. He was, yeah, that's really kind, really fun. Lighthearted and hardworking. Mm-hmm. Didn't hardly miss a day. I mean, was there at 9:00 AM with all of, were they doing Dancing with the Stars back then? When did that start? Probably, I dunno. That's when the Stars was on. Yes. Yes, he was on it.

Mm-hmm. Yep. He was with Nastia. Okay. Yes. Yes. She would come sometimes and they'd rehearse upstairs. He's a gymnast. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Okay. Mm-hmm. Yes. Yeah. Oh, that's cool. That was really very fun experience. Yeah. Yep. So, all right. Yeah. Then I, I did Elf one more time. Uhhuh, we get to play Madison Square Garden.

Oh, neat. In the city. Gosh. Uh, Boston, I think that year. And um, and then, Like a year later, my gut just started talking to me. Mm-hmm. And, um, yeah, it was just time. It was just time for a change. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Um, I was traveling, um, with Sarah Clare, my mm-hmm. We go full circle here. Uh, Sarah Claire, my, uh, friend who's kind of collaborating with me on Broadway beginnings now.

And, um, yeah, we were in, we were in Thailand of all places, and I, um, oh, that's cool. Sometimes it takes you, I think, getting on the other side of the world. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Uh, to connect with how you're really feeling and what's happening. And yeah. My gut just started talking to me and, and all I really knew, uh, or could articulate, um, was that I just felt like I was ready for a change.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And it felt like that change was meant to happen outside of New York. Um, But I mean, those words coming out of my mouth were, uh, terrifying and shocking. Sure. I it, living and working in New York is the only thing I had ever wanted since I knew you could want something. Mm-hmm. Right? Yeah.

Yeah. It, it was, that was the only thing for me. Yeah. And now you're pivoting and it's like, what's going on here? And I'm pivoting to what Yeah. That was big. Not just pivoting, but Yeah. Gonna be, you had spent your entire twenties, you know, my Yeah. Doing all of that. Yeah. Yep, yep. And, um, yeah, it was just, I could just tell the season was shifting, so I thought, I'll come back to Lakeland.

It's, it's where my family is. Mm-hmm. Um, and I, home's wise, place to figure it out, out. Especially I'll land for a minute. Yeah. Mm-hmm. I'll land for a minute. Yeah. And I honestly didn't even see my, I just saw myself coming home, like for the holidays. Yeah. Figuring it out. And then who knows? Mm-hmm. You know, maybe I'll go to San Francisco or, um, Some place streaming Chicago or mm-hmm.

Maybe I'll go back to New York. You know, I, yeah. I didn't know. Um, yeah. And then they had a part-time position open at, um, all Saints, because Quinton Darrington, right? Mm-hmm. Was in Cats at the time. Mm-hmm. And Cats was supposed to be a limited run on Broadway, and it got extended, and so they needed someone to basically cover his teaching position Okay.

For a semester. And I thought, oh, I'll apply for that. Okay. Maureen actually was the one who we were having lunch and she said, I got this email. They're looking for someone. Seems like a good, and I said, okay. I'll see what that's all about. Yeah. So I can teach so much I can teach guys. Yeah, yeah. I was like, sure.

Teach theater or what, you know, that'll be fun and, and it'll gimme a taste. Mm-hmm. Of exactly, you know, what being in the school without that big commitment. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. See, do you like it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So in the school itself, totally different than what you grew up with school wise really Did, you know, so even that environment's different.

Mm-hmm. Yes. Yeah. Which I think was also appealing mm-hmm. To, you know, learn something new and, and coming back home was nice to go work somewhere different. Yes. You know, not like run back to everything, you know. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Um, yeah. And so I, I was given that position and that position turned into, um, a, a year or a year and a half later, um, uh, Paul Hughes retired and I stepped into leading the theater program and being the fine arts, uh, department chair and mm-hmm.

Then, That just, yeah. I fell in love with the kids and, and the little theater community we built there. Um, yeah. Yeah. And it's, it's just grown and grown and grown. I've learned so much. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So much about myself and about teaching and, um, I also met my husband day one on campus and so that's, that's kinda nice.

Wasn't that some stars That didn't hurt. Yeah. My god, this is good. Wow. So have you done any community theater since you've been back? I don't know. Time or, no, that's good thing. I have been so busy. Mm-hmm. Um, I've been so committed Yeah. Um, to All Saints. Mm-hmm. And I've directed two shows there mm-hmm.

Every year. Okay. Um, plus all the thespian stuff, as you all know. Yeah. Um, so I haven't, yeah. Um, that's hard. But I am gonna be, Directing some things this coming year. One at Lakeland and one at Theater Winterhaven. Oh, nice. So, um, so I'm gonna be directing, um, tick, tick, boom Lake. Oh, very good one. Great. So excited for you.

Don't get an opportunity to do a show like that. Very oftens. So, I feel amazing. Honestly, I feel honored. I knows. Um, it's a, it's an exciting one to get to work on, so I'm very excited and honored to, to be asked to do that. And then, um, all shook up at Theater Winter table. Oh, that'll be fun one too. Yeah, that'll be good.

Wow. So fun. They both have great lineups. Yeah, yeah. We've had this fun and it's like, okay, I know. What can we Yes. Go like one to the next, to the next, to the next. So it's like, okay, you gotta mm-hmm. Yeah. Which is why poor Lily Kate is like exhaust and they school too. Oh my gosh. And they're sometimes doing a school show and Yes, yes, yes.

We just had, that was frozen. Mm-hmm. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Yeah. They were doing Frozen and then they're in rehearsals for nemo. Oh. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yay. Yeah. Well, I'm just sitting here thinking about your Broadway beginnings and mm-hmm. Everything you're bringing to the table to be able to teach these kids. You, you know, it, you know what they need.

They, you know, you have the connections, like what a gift you're bringing to the community. Yeah. Really. Yeah. Yeah. Things and, and to kids that maybe would never get that opportunity to be able to go up to New York City if they didn't have someone organizing it and helping them, and, you know what I mean?

Yeah. So it's, that's a huge door that you're opening to these kids, and who knows? I mean, you might be helping the next Yeah. Big thing. You might be that one Grief separation. Yes, true. Yes. And we know two kids that are super excited that are going with you. Mm-hmm. Can't talk about it. Yeah. Yes. Can't say their names.

We don't say their names. They're miners, but Yeah. But they're really excited. And, um, yeah, I did my first trip to New York, um, the summer after my freshman year. Mm-hmm. And we went with a dance group. Okay. Uh, and so it was in sim similar ways. Mm-hmm. You know, it was orchestrated, um, by a bigger group and they, we took class and we saw shows, and it just, it, I mean, it absolutely changed my life.

It doesn't, yeah. I mean, really sealed the deal mm-hmm. After my freshman year at Harrison and everything. Uh, yeah. So to, to feel like I could be a part of mm-hmm. Stepping, uh, you know, these students into like, yeah. Realizing that that dream it can be real. Mm-hmm. Yeah. It can be, you know what? It doesn't have to feel like this.

I remember it feeling very far away. Mm-hmm. Very, not just in distance. Yeah. Like outreach on the table. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, how am I ever gonna, how am I gonna do that? There's a million people that audition, how are they gonna, I don't know. Yeah. Like, I don't know how it was for your girls after our trip that we just did.

Mm-hmm. When we came home after seeing the shows we saw, which we only saw three. Mm-hmm. Well, part we saw for mm-hmm. Um, but we came home and poverty was like re-energized. Mm-hmm. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Can you say that? That end goal, like is where I'm walking toward. Yeah. She was like, I had no idea it could be like that.

Mm-hmm. And it's not, I mean, I still feel like the shows that they've been in Yeah. Are still so good. Yes. And they have such a, a shocking production value to them. Mm-hmm. That like, you know, outside of theater I never expected. Mm-hmm. Yeah. No. And then, um, you know, to see her kind of realization of what it could be like even on Broadway, like mm-hmm.

That, that much more elevated, right? Yeah. Yeah. She was she's all in. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Very, very focused and, Ready to hit the ground running at Harrison and mm-hmm. Yeah. She's like, I'm taking the summer off this year. She's not doing any camp. She's like, I wanna be ready. Mm-hmm. Yeah. For that.

Yeah. That'll help mentally writing, so Yeah. Yeah, yeah. It is there. I mean, there's nothing like going there. Mm-hmm. You know, feeling the energy and, and what it does to, to you. And I think that's true whether you're, um, you know, a young person wanting to pursue this, um, or any theater lover, right? Mm-hmm.

Like it really 300 and come home and can watch something at Lakeland, at Theater One Haven, and, and, you know, you look at you, you, I think it, it gives you, uh, you don't take it for granted mm-hmm. As much. Mm-hmm. I think you, you look at it with a, um, wider eyes mm-hmm. And really appreciate the talent that way.

I mean, the talent. Yes. In this community. Yeah. And we're, when we're talking designers, I mean Nick, Judy, and Moura now that he's at Lakeland. Oh, I know. Oh wow. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. I know we say it all the time. Like just this bubble of talent. Yeah. Yeah. Just cross. It's not just kids, like it's across the board.

Yeah. We really are. Mm-hmm. That's true. Any advice for kids? Like, it sounds like dancing really gave you your in. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. So anything you would tell kids like preparing for college, hoping for that Yeah. Trajectory? Um, I do. Just because you said dance, I do always encourage students to study dance as much as they can.

I know it gets really hard to balance with doing productions. Mm-hmm. But I do think as a young person in the industry mm-hmm. To be able to be in the ensemble. And to cover the lead roles is a huge asset. Mm-hmm. Um, to being able to work college. Yeah. It opens up a lot more college opportunities. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. So many, because the number of casting directors who are looking for anyone in their twenties to play a lead role, it's just, it's just a very small pool. Mm-hmm. Very small pool. Um, and so if you can dance, if you can move really well, you're comfortable, you know, like just being comfortable, um, in your body and, and in the movement on stage, you don't have to be the best dancer in the room.

Right, right. But being comfortable, um, I think is really important. And just persevering, there's, I mean, there's no part of my story that was super easy. Mm-hmm. I mean, there was, there. You know, we didn't go, didn't go table into you? Just all the, no. Yeah. You just have to show up. Mm-hmm. I know my husband asked me one time, how many times do you think you were rejected before you got your first show in New York?

Yeah. And I, I counted something hundreds. Right. Wow. Hundreds before the first show. Wow. That's not in my, you know, six or seven years up there. Yeah. So, yeah. That's part of, of your psyche. I think it's, it's so having a, having a good community. Mm-hmm. Um, You know, having other things you're passionate about.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Uh, and just persevering. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Doing the work and, and loving it, whether you're in the back holding a flag. Right. Or in the front seat solo. Yeah. Yeah. Be, be a team, being a munchkin, whatever. Be a team member. Yeah. Yeah.

I mean, you know, it's all great. It's all Yeah. Just being on stage. Yes, yes. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. And our kids have learned that too, just in their short little time, you know? Yeah. We keep helping them relearn that lesson. Lesson all the time. Experience. It's hard, it rejection. Yeah. I like to say gets easier, but, you know, it's a balance between, if I don't really want this, why am I gonna go for it?

Mm-hmm. But if I really want this and I don't get it, how am I not gonna be disappointed? Mm-hmm. Right. And that's a perfect way's. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So it is, it's a, it's just a constant perfect way balance of, of knowing that, um, The pieces will fall for you mm-hmm. As they're meant to fall. Yeah. Uh, and it just, it, it might not always feel that way, but it's not always happening to you, you know?

Right. Happening for you. Yeah. Well, and it's through those rejections. Cause we heard this with Hannah as well. She had a lot of rejections like you. Yeah. But those rejections actually put her in the room. Yeah. The next time something. Exactly. Exactly. And they see you're keeping coming, you know, not like a fly by night.

She really wants this. Mm-hmm. You know, she's gonna keep trying. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. Excellent. Keep going. Keep working. Is there still openings for the camp? Yes. We can let our, yes, our audience, I've got the flyers that you sent too, so I'm gonna put 'em up in the video. Mm-hmm. I'll send Yes. And I'll put 'em on.

Try to put 'em on the post too. I think I can do that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The camp and your website. And my website, yes. Broadway beginnings.com. Easy to finds. Pretty easy to find, which is great. I felt very lucky I was able to, that is nice. Secure that at all. Yeah. Um, yeah, so broadway beginnings.com and um, we're on Instagram and Facebook.

I haven't delved into TikTok yet, but I know it's coming. I know. I interns, you're so intern. Turn that door open for us making social media. And then we up in New York, the kids can do little TikTok stuff for you. Oh yeah. Yeah. And postop. And then that'll get the hype going before we're done, I wanted to say, uh, just, you know, On the podcast, thank you for Grant connecting us.

Oh, yeah. Yes. Thanks Grant. Thank you, grant. Um, and Grant. Yeah. Cause I mean, honestly, I, you know, we're, we're kind of having to pivot a little bit with, uh, within our little group of, you know, um, drama mamas slash Dads because, you know, my husband got a new job and so he was doing a lot of the, getting us guests and that kind of stuff.

And so now we're having to kind of figure out who we're doing without his assistant. Right. Um, as much, anyway, so, yeah. Uh, it was, it was awesome to have Grant like, come across the stage and be like, So I have a friend and I was like, oh. And yeah. And then he's like, yeah, and she's a big fan of your, and I was like, what?

We have mean weird. Oh my gosh. We we're like at school, Nick Grant and I Have you listened to the most recent episode? Well, we're trying to get Nick Judy wind up. We've gotta figure out when schedule we can get that and yeah. Oh my God. I'm glad you had me before him because he'll

yeah. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. We'll, trying to, um, so all Saint, we're gonna add that to our rotation. Yes. And we'll come watch you guys. And um, you know, we always talk about the show beforehand and after. Yeah. Yeah. All that good stuff. It's be fun. So we will add that and then next summer, we'll maybe we can have you come on again and talk about we beginning, next 10.

That would be awesome. Progressing. Yes. Hoping we learn a lot this summer and in this year, and. Yeah. Great. Keep going. So thank you for having me. Thanks for Oh, absolutely. You're excited about the company and anything we can do. Lot kids. Well, it's all about work, that outreach, like we're trying to help make sure that kids that don't know about theater get to learn about what's it's important stuff.

And the parents, that way they know how to navigate that. I think that perspective is really important. They always talk about kids, parents know how to get their kids in baseball and softball, all that stuff, but nobody knows how to get their kid in musical theater and we're coming up to the season of summer, which is the perfect way to start it.

Yeah, it's a great line. Yes, exactly. And there's lots of programs as you mentioned. There's so much so like, yeah, there's a lot that you can put your kid in and mm-hmm. Yeah. Let 'em do some fary wet. Yeah. Yeah. And there's lots of legit professional people like yourself to learn from. So I wanna go sign the class.

I know. Problem. But I'm thinking about an adult trip to New York. I'm not.

Yeah. I think it would be a lot of fun. Totally. On board. Yes. Yeah. No, we'll totally go there and we can broadcast from him. That's it. Oh. Oh yeah. It's broadcast. We've done it before. Yeah, we, that's, we'll talk about it. Well, happy end of the school year. Thank you. Was a teacher long YouTube. Very happy time of year.

Thanks. Yes. I know when you guys get out next Friday. Okay. Okay. So we don't get out till the 31st. Yeah, that's what you get out. Yeah. You go back for couple days after. Which is weird cuz you have Memorial Day and then you have a day and a half. But I know Pinky has her clap out. A word ceremony and then clap out on the 30th.

Oh, they come on the 31st? Yeah. So then I guess they're done that she didn't come on the last day anyway. She wasn't gonna come to him the last day. I mean, we all know that. Yeah. Yeah. She's like, do I really need to go? I said, no you don't. That's fine. And the Harrison, Liz kids already had graduation. Yeah.

So they're like fun. Mikayla played tuba for that. She, cause you know that was happening Mikayla. Yeah. Excellent. I said, uh, she got in the car, all her friends are seniors cuz she's academically ahead. Okay. And um, she was like, all my friends are gone now. That's what I get for making friends with seniors.

And I was like, baby, you're that next year. So like, if it's gonna happen either way. Right, yeah, yeah. You know. Yeah. She's like, yeah, but it just sucks. And I said, yeah. Did you enjoy your last year of playing at the, you know, at the graduation? She was like, mom, oh no. Just she didn't had that thought. Just keep it going mom.

Just. Poor thing. Yeah. They'll just be paving the way for her in college. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. Getting things ready. Yeah. That's right. That's right. Well, whenever she figures out where does she wants to go. Yeah. She's got time. Yeah. Yep. She definitely does. She'll figure it out. She's a smart girl. She is. And she's, you know, she's got a lot of options.

I have her, I'm like shutting really bad. Um, oh, my hair hair's like growing out this way. Is it? I can, it just blossoming humidity.

Mine is just my face. Yeah. I feel like mine just gets really flat. I don't know. Yeah. Moist on here. It's horrible. Anyway, except for this hair. This hair is like, like, it's like your wings. So we've had this guest behind us this entire time that we've all been talking. Is it the duck? Oh yeah. And he has come across a little bit and he's got cute little fuzzy hair around his top of his head.

It's a girl. It's a girl. How do you know that? So she's a bird girl. Like she knows hair. They're colorful. Okay. In third world, if there's a difference, if they're dimorphic, that's the term. Okay. If they're dimorphic, the, the boys are very colorful. Okay. Because they gotta be showy to woo girls. Maybe she's a strong on mama.

Maybe so like we are doing, um, what is that? The duck? Oh, junior. Oh, hok. Yes. Ahead and audition.

I can't believe it. They normally, I don't know. She's just chilling. She was chilling. Interesting. It's what we usually just squirrel. Oh yeah. We're, we did pretty good. This right now time. We did not squirrel a lot. No, I think she did good. She kept, she kept us on.