A Middle School Drama Teacher's Day

I mean, we just telling her like you, you watch those TV shows and you're like, man, I wanna go hang out with them. Like they look really fun. I was just watching the podcast. I'm like, that looks like a lot of fun. Yeah. Its, we try to be, yeah. Just like, oh yeah, we wanted you. I'm like, what? Really? No excited.

You said Yes. I, yeah, I'm excited. Same. Yeah. All right. You wanna do a little intro? Sure. Okay. I'm Kristen. I'm Angela. And I'm Kathy. And today we have with us Amanda Neff. Welcome to Drama Mama. Yay. Thank you . Thanks for coming to hang out with us today. We're so excited. Yeah. Excited to have you here. Amanda is a middle school drama teacher.

God bless you. Oh, . So drama you must deal with. I was just mess with it being middle school. I can only imagine it. They are something else. . Yeah. They are a different breed. And I swear it does not like how it was when I was in middle school, how you guys were in middle school. It's just the stuff they have to deal with now is.

You know, the technology and pressures that we didn't have. Yeah. And none of them are going through the awkward blue eyeshadow and body glitter and ridiculous fashion phases that we all Yes. Like they're not, they're way more fashion, I think social media. I think it's like TikTok and all that. They know what actually looks good.

Yeah. And not because I did not have that. I mean, if I had that as a resource, I probably would've had a very different look. Oh, I know. I would. But you know, I, I grew up in the era of like era of like a JCO jeans and, you know, like JCO jeans, jeans. Wait, what are jnco jeans? Seriously, I have no like, ricci, like, like, I dunno what that is.

You like half roll your jeans, you know, you do little things. Oh. Yeah. And like wigwams with the high top Reebok sneakers. Like, no, like, so jco they're coming back actually. Jnco. Okay. We'll explain to something. But they're like the ultra wide jeans. Yeah. Like the crazy ones. So you, you're just like floating on a teepee of jeans,

Okay. On each leg. Yes. I, it's a shit ton of fabric. Seriously? They're huge. Yeah. And they 55 pounds. I did not. Ok. Angela, how did we miss the, we we must be a little bit older. Older, yeah. We're a little bit older. I was eighties, seventies, and eighties child, so I missed the whole Jin. Yeah, I'm like nine. That was like nineties.

Oh wow. Yes. . So I think we, yeah, I'll grab a picture and insert it into the That's fantastic video. I guess those were like skater jeans back when I was, you would kill yourself wearing those skating would get caught up in your room. Oh, well, I don't know. I guess they did that. I, um, I don't know. Did you have a pair?

I had several . Okay. So they weren't get pictures of that. They weren't quite that big. But you see what I mean about the triangle of Gene, right? Oh, yes. Yeah. No, it's a teepee. Teepee, yes. Tepee, yes. Where are even the legs in that situation? Like where are your actual legs? They're in the te they're in there.

I know, but like, that's just crazy to me. But, and, and in order to get that kind of shape, they had to be like thick, right? Like stiff, right? Yeah. Mm-hmm. . They were thick. Wow. And then what kind of shoe wear is underneath there? Does it matter? Vans. Vans? Yep. Okay. . Wow. Wow. That feels like a Halloween costume right there.

Oh, . So this is what middle schoolers are dealing with right now. Pinky has some like pants now that are kind of like that. I was gonna say jeans, but they're not jeans. Um, that are kind of like that. But they're not JCOs. No, but they're cute cause that shit's expensive. That's cute. Oh, I bet. Yeah, it's a lot of fabric in there.

It's a lot of really stiff jeans, fabrics. Yeah. . Wow. Yeah. That's amazing. So what kind of trends are you seeing with the middle schoolers? Well, what's funny is they're now wearing what I wore in middle school. Cause I was a little bit after the Jnco jeans. I was the flair pants and the, you know, cropped baby doll shirts and the blue eyeshadow.

Okay. And the little choker necklaces. So like the Beverly Hills 9 0 210 college years. Yes. Okay. Let's just get this serious coming. Yeah. Briney Spears ish early, you know, late nineties, early two thousands was, was me in middle school. And that's now what's becoming popular. So like when we did lockers last year, And we were setting it in the nineties.

I asked the kids, you know, what's in your closet? And I didn't have to buy anything for costumes cuz they all had and it looked the same. Wow. It's so weird. By the lockers. I did buy the hair crimper for Lily Kate and I crimped her hair. Yes. And she hated it. Yes. Really? I heard all about that. Oh, I was so mad.

I wanted it. That's also a nineties situation. Yeah. The hair crimper. It's amazing. I know. She was upset with me when I said that I had encouraged this . I was just like, what? No, you're supposed to say no. I said, no, actually that's accurate. And I think it's a great idea. Oh my gosh. Are you seeing like the little clips in the hair now?

Remember that in the 90 Oh butterfly clips? Uhhuh . Oh yeah. Uhhuh . Some of them, yes. And now they are a token of affection. Oh. Um, so like you would give a Scry someone Yes. But butterfly now it's the butterfly clips and you see the guys have them and they're on their lanyards or Oh gosh, I didn't know that.

Yes, . So, you know, check your kids' lanyards. See how many butterfly clips they have and Oh gosh, just passing 'em. Wow. So is it the more, the better, like happy? I dunno how Oh yeah, I mean because the boys are collecting them from all the girls collecting them they think, you know, are cute or whatever, and they, you know, like, oh, I think you're cute.

I'm gonna give you one of my butterfly clips. So, you know, you see some boys coming in to like musical theater at the end of the day and they're whole land. You're just like full of butterfly clips. I'm, and they're feeling like the man, right? Yeah. Yeah. It's a status thing. You're Mac Interesting. Nice.

They're, they're Butterfly clips, did you say? They're macing. They're macing. Macing. Oh God, I don't know what that is either. I said Brown chicken, brown cow to, to Angela earlier and she was like, what's that? Do you know what that means? Yes, I do. , I'm officially old . Oh, it's okay. We're keeping you. I know, it sounds like the noise.

Let's spit that you say that. It makes perfect sense. in the moment. It did not . She understood what the meaning was. Yeah, but But you were taking it a little bit literal. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was thinking chickens and cows. She's like, who's got a brown chicken? Gosh. Alright, we're getting off topic. . It happens quite a lot.

And this is how middle school goes, right? We, we started here and now suddenly we're over here and I don't know how we got there. They don't how we got there. And it's where we are now. So as a teacher, that's gotta be difficult to navigate like that middle school social game, right? Like today they're friends.

Tomorrow they're crying cuz they're not friends anymore. Yes, . Uh, but then by the end of the day, everybody's friends again. Yes. And that is what I tell them that, you know what it, it's okay. Like, and I tell them like I went through the same thing in middle school that, you know, you get to fight second period and by the time on the bus at the after school you're fine.

Or maybe last couple days, but you know, I tell 'em if they're truly your friend, It's gonna work itself out. Yeah. And if they're not, then you might as well let 'em go now then spend more time. That's very true. So, and how stressful, right, for those kids, like second, like they have this big call down, how stressful for the teachers.

That's what I'm saying. And now these kids have to go into the classroom and you're already only have what, like 40 minutes to teach these little minds and they're already. All upset. Yes. Because so and so said this. Mm-hmm. , and now you're like, no, we have to learn about whatever the today's topic is. Yes.

And then we have the crushes, and then we have the breakups and gosh, you know, and then I'm trying to make scene partners and Oh, now they're all thinking I'm shipping them together. I'm like, no, actually I just pro pulled two numbers out of a hat and got the stars you're sitting on. So here you go. Stop.

Do they use that word shipping? Shipping? Yes. I had to learn that Pinky taught me that one. Mm-hmm. . I, I do know that one. Yeah. I learned that from watching The Bachelor. Oh geez. Jordan would understand. I'm just, I know we have like a whole 20 minute segment about you guys talking about The Bachelor Do at the end of the podcast.

Do you watch any of the Bachelor stuff, Amanda? I do not. Okay. Well then I won't, I You're probably too busy watching like Barney and Paw Patrol. Oh, bluey. Bluey is on our house 24 7. Blue is awesome. Yes, she's three. She's, my little one is almost two and a half. Oh, okay. So I'm aging her. Yep. Okay. Yeah. I was gonna say not yet.

Oh, I know. So favorite life while they're young, captive. Exactly. And not worried about butterfly clips at the moment. Not yet. I come home every day. I'm like, okay, we're, we're skipping middle school. Okay. We're skipping school. I've had people tell me that middle school is like the new high school. Yes.

Like, that's the level of craziness that we're dealing with. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Just the stuff that they're aware of. Um, the, like I said before, the pressures they're dealing with and even the academics, it's, it's not like when we were in school, it's a lot harder. Mm. Well, I hate that my kids have to come home worrying about lockdown drills and things like that.

Like that's a whole nother stressor for them. It is. And that's scary cuz when you're practicing those, you don't want to make it scary for the kids. Mm-hmm. , but at the same time, Yeah. Like, I would die for you, but I really don't wanna die for you. So if you could please stop talking and fussy about who's squishing who over there.

Like, shh, you know, just shut it. Oh my goodness. . No, that's true. Like, you want them to understand the mm-hmm. , the, the seriousness of the situation. Right. Without freaking scared. And I don't know, like, what, how much exposure do they have to the news with their parents? What are their parents telling them? So if I tell them too much and I send them home crying and it's gonna be, you know, Mrs.

Neff said we're all gonna die or something, and then I'm getting a phone call. Right. But at the same time, yeah. I need them to understand if they call lockdown, your booty needs to go in my office. Mm-hmm. now. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Yeah. Do you not pass? Right. Yeah. And they're pretty, they're pretty good about that.

And, you know, we talk about also like, you know, in my room at, on a, my rules poster, I tell them I have two rules basically, or two jobs are there to keep you. and to help you learn. Yeah. And everything I'm ever possibly going to tell you is gonna fall under one of those two things. So like, why do I tell you not to chew gum?

Well, to keep you safe so you don't choke while you're doing, you know, an acting scene. You know, why do I ask you to be quiet? Well that's to help you learn or whatever. Yeah. Um, and they know number one job is keep you safe. So that means I will do whatever it takes. But I also remind them now I said it's different for me now.

Like I'm a mommy too and I have a little one who's expecting me to come home. So I need you to, yeah, you have to cooperate. Yeah. We all gotta work together. And then middle school likes to ask me the most ridiculous what if scenarios. Well what if this, what if that, what if, whatever. And I keep going. What is my number one job?

What is my number one job? keep you safe. I said if we have to run, cuz unfortunately my room, you know, opens right up to the back of the school and we can help the fence. And we're in that little neighborhood there. I said if we're running, you better keep up cuz I will be eating you over the fence if you hide.

Cause we're going , right? I'm leaked, but if you know we need to hide, we're gonna hide. I said, I can't answer your question. We're not in this situation. I said, you just need to trust that. I don't wanna die. Right. And I don't want you to die, so we're all going to whatever. Yeah. Um, but yeah, it's hard. And like the middle scores get it and you can talk to 'em about it a little bit more.

But then I teach first grade also and we just had a lockdown drill the other day and I had first grade and they all like, looked at me and like looked at the ceiling and like completely forgot what to do. And I'm like, go to my office. Go to my office. And so they all lined up in this really nice little neat line in front of my office.

I'm like, no, go in, in my office. . Yeah. And they're all proud of themselves, right line? Yeah. Oh yeah. Just like real sweet. I'm the line leader. I the line leader. Meanwhile I'm over like, you know, turning dim in the lights and pulling my little blackout paper down. I'm like, go, go, go. I'm like, it's okay. You don't have to wait, go.

Yeah. Yeah. That's hard. It's hurting cats. So, so you have the one first grade class and then everything else is middle school, correct? I had, well actually I have first grade and third grade and fourth grade. Oh. And then middle school. Okay. So, um, that's a lot K through. Yes, it is a lot. Um, it's seven different classes running all day long.

Wow. Wow. Um, with seven different projects, right? Like Yes. Okay. So I, I don't know where we're going tomorrow, but I have it written down. Well, we're gonna, improv can take for improv, improv, improv and movies always fits one of my standards. Act like a banana. Let's see it go. Yep. . But exactly. Take some time to think about that.

I mean, that could be difficult, you know? So, speaking of acting like a banana, what are some of the, like games or different things you do with them to kind of help them train for acting? Okay. Um, I have one that I've been playing literally since I started teaching, and it's just called The Walking Game.

And it's a pantomime game. And I say, you know, walk around the room like you're floating through space, walk around the room like you're carrying something heavy. And, uh, walk around the room like an animal that lives in the ocean. And I try to incorporate sometimes what they might be learning in their classes, you know, like different animal habitats and things like that.

And then I say hold, which, you know, also is training them to, you know, to freeze and all that. Um, and then I switch it. and it's great cuz it can go on as long or short as you want it to go. It hits a variety of different things. They have to be quiet. We think about our facial expressions, we think about what our body is doing.

We work on keeping our body in our own space and not touching other actors. And so they really like that one. And it's funny that you said banana cause I do have one for called Bacon where they literally lie on the floor and I pretend to turn the heat up and they fry like a piece of bacon. Oh my gosh, that's awesome.

It doesn't wanna be bacon. Feels 30 seconds at the end of class. It's great. . Um, I have one called Secret Agent and this is all just stuff I made up. Um, I have one called Secret Agent where I literally just play the Mission Impossible theme song and they run around and pretend to be spies and they have to be on their assigned seats by the time the song's done.

That's awesome. Um, so you see them like rolling on the floor and talking in their watch and pretend they've got a grappling hook. It's hysterical. . And then the older ones, they do things that like, that you see on whose line, like party quirks or, um, they really like, why are you late? Where they have like the office workers trying to pantomime to the late worker why they're late.

Um, and then the boss, it's almost like sharks and minnows where the boss keeps turning around trying to catch the office workers not working. Um, oh, Hess cool. Yeah, they like that one. Um, and they like think like I do one at the beginning year called Move your Butt and it's basically like a getting to know you thing, like move your butt if you, you know, have siblings and then they all get up and have to switch seats and stuff like that.

Um, that's nice icebreaker. Yeah. Yeah. Do you that some kids are more, um, reserved or do they just kind of all get into it? For the most part, by the time they get to me in middle school, for the most part, they're all getting up and participating. I don't have a lot of problems with that. And really it's because it's kind of peer pressure, like everybody's doing it.

And if you're the one who's kind of being lame about it, then you're the odd one out. , um, you know, they don't wanna fit in and this is what we're doing. It's not optional. And I told them that. I said, okay. Um, cause they're like, oh, I don't wanna do whatever. I said, oh, well, are you going to tell your math teacher today that you don't feel like adding?

And they're like, no. I said, okay, well then you're not gonna tell me that you're, this is your subject right now. Okay. Exactly. And that works pretty good. And then for the little guys, I, if they're really resisting, I don't push it. It's 40 minutes once a week. Maybe they're having a bad day, maybe they're tired and mm-hmm.

Yeah. It's not worth a battle. Yeah. But So at the school that you're at for the older kids, is theater and drama, is that, um, an elective for them? Or is it something that they have to do is a requirement? Um, a little bit of both. Um, so the way our school works is because we are Arts magnet, they get to pick, uh, what they call a major.

Mm-hmm. . Um, and they have eight periods a day. They take four academics, and then they're major. Whether they've picked theater, dance, Visual art, orchestra, band, or chorus, they get two classes of that. Mm-hmm. . And then depending on their schedule, they get two additional classes. So sometimes that might be where Remedials fit in.

Mm-hmm. , maybe they want PE and then they could also take electives, which they can cross into other disciplines. Okay. So the theater majors, um, they each take a theater class and an acting class. Okay. Back to back. And theater covers history, technical things like that. And then acting is usually straight up scenes or monologues.

Okay. Perfect. Yeah. So hopefully ideally the kids that you have, older kids are there cuz they wanna be there. Yes. Right. Okay. For the most part. Yeah. Because that can make a difference, you know? It does, yeah. Makes a big difference. And I will remind them, like, you picked this . Yeah. Right. Stuck with me. Yeah.

I don't have to say that often, but pick your poison . Yeah. You, you picked and here we are. You're in eighth grade now, so . Yeah. We're gonna, we're gonna keep going. But, but yeah. That's awesome. But you do have kids that are. . So you've got the lottery kids who've come in because they wanna be and part of the magnet mm-hmm.

And then you also have the local kids that serve zoned school. I'm not sure, actually, I gotta be honest, I'm not a hundred percent on how Magnet works. I'm not sure if, I mean, we do have a lot of families that live close mm-hmm. , but I'm not sure if we count as a zoned school or not. So you pretty, we're pretty people there because they wanna be there.

Right. Which is great. That is great. Yeah. Yeah. I hear the principal say all the time, you know, we're a school of choice. Mm-hmm. . Um, so you, you know, you're applying to be there and mm-hmm. . Um, and that's why I remind them too, like your parents picked for you Right. To be here. Right. You know? Yeah. So we want of it making the most of it.

It is so cool that my child gets to go to school every day and do something she absolutely loves. Like that to me is like, what a gift that isn't. It's a public school. It's not, we're not even paying for this. Right. , she gets to act and she gets to sing, and she gets to, she's in dance this year and she just mm-hmm.

is the coolest thing ever. I know Pinky's so happy when she comes home. Mm-hmm. , uh, you know, Mikayla didn't go to a school like that. She just went to what she was zoned to for middle school and what a different experience it has been for poverty to be able to go to, to this school of choice. Mm-hmm.

Absolutely. Um, and you're her favorite teacher? Oh, by far. Yeah. . Although I will say there are a lot of good teachers at that school. Amazing. There are, the talent is just, I mean, not just in the arts department Yes. But mm-hmm. , but even into the academics, like it's really an incredible staff Yeah. That are masters of their field, so.

Mm-hmm. , it's, it's a good place to be. And they get a good education there. I'm looking forward to Molly going someday. Oh yeah. Someday. So, do they have a vpk? They do. Okay. So I got like a year and a half mm-hmm. and then just coming to school with mom. Perfect. Oh, that's a, you can't ask for a better setup.

Yeah. You know? Oof. Especially all the way through eighth grade. Hang on to her for a while. Serious. Yes, yes. Eyes on you kid. Yeah, for sure. So for you, what kind of came first? Is it, was it your love of teaching or was it your love of theater and then, oh my God, I get to combine the two. Like what? So I had a weird path to.

Um, I wa I come from a very musical family. Okay. Um, and some of them have done theater, like my mom did opera and my dad was in theater. That's actually how they met. Oh, that's awesome. Um, yeah. But, um, when I went to school, I started as a music education major. Okay. And then at that point there was a big hiring freeze, so I switched to elementary education cuz I wanted a job.

And then , it's important , you know, there's one music teacher in like seven first grade teachers, so I figured, you know, my odds were good. Yeah. Um, and I loved, uh, teaching, you know, elementary school, I taught first grade, second grade, third grade, and it was a lot of fun. And then at the same time before that, I had gotten into theater in high.

Okay. Because I had been a band kid in middle school, didn't have a theater program in my middle school. Um, but I took drama one, I told the kids really just kind of cuz my friend picked it. Mm-hmm. . Cause we thought being an easy elective and then I absolutely fell in love with really getting to know a theater.

Um, and then college was busy with education, so didn't do much theater. And then, um, one day my dad was looking for something fun for us to do and he saw that this local community theater was putting on ia, which is his favorite show. Ah, yeah. Nice. Um, so we went to go see IA and it was a wonderful production.

And then I saw that Le Mis was happening and Le Mis is my hands down top of the bucket list. I have loved that show since I was a little kid. Can sing every last note show. Mm-hmm. . So it'd been forever since I'd done theater, took a shot, auditioned, got cast in the ensemble and was, you know, living my best life.

Oh, that's awesome. So, um, so then, you know, I was heavily involved in that community theater and then at um, , an elementary school in Lakeland that I had been working at right before . Um, my principal approached me about starting a drama club for, um, third through fifth. So I did that and we did a few shows.

Did that for a couple years until the theater position opened up at, and the reading coach at the time at my elementary school is married to someone on staff at Okay. So I got the inside track there, . Um, and like, you know, not only is she a great teacher, but she loves theater. She ran those drama club, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Right. Um, heavily involved at the local theater. Yeah. It's a great fit. Yeah. You know, so I came in and interviewed and got the job and Nice. It's, it's a lot of fun. It's exhausting, but it's, I mean, I get to do theater every day and I get to work with kids like Lily, Kate and Pinky. Live and breathe it like I do, I do.

Mm-hmm. and it's just, it's so much fun. It's so rewarding seeing this next generation coming up that, um, it, you know, for all I know I got a future Tony Award winner in my class right now. Like how cool is that? Yeah. You know, you probably do. You never know. I know. I probably one of year two , you know, way it would be, listen, we wouldn't be surprised.

Right. So it's, it's awesome. So that's kind of my roundabout lengthy story on how, just how you got there. Yeah. Connections and opportunities and Yep. And that's why I tell the kid, it's all kids. It's all about making connections. I said the theater community in Lakeland is small. Mm-hmm. and everyone knows that.

Everyone, and they're always shocked with how many people I know at the community theaters and mm-hmm. . I'm like, yes, I know who that is. I really, yeah. said, I can check up on you. Yeah. . But yeah, I know that. So you've not only done been on the stage, but you've worked as. Stage manager. Mm-hmm. , did I get that right?

Okay. Yep. Um, they had me, I had acted in various shows and then they needed a stage manager for their production of the graduate. And I had never stage managed before and had really no clue what that meant, but they're like, oh, this is an easy one. It's a straight play. And, um, so they had Laura train me and then off I went, and then I got bit by the stage managing bug and that was a lot of fun.

Today. It's a lot of fun. It's fun, isn't it? It's, it's a lot, but it, it, I don't know. It's so worth it when you're up there in the booth and you're calling the cues and like all the little things that the audience don't even know about, just clicks and, you know, a cue lamp's perfectly. Or, you know, it's just like, it's, there's excitement up there and nobody knows it but you, but Right.

It's, yeah. Awesome. They can't, can't see you dancing in the booth, right? ? Yeah. You're. Yes. Well, like you said, they don't realize all the little things that are coming together. No, they really don't. You're just like, so into the story that things are happening around you and Well, how much, how, like, intimately you get to know those shows.

Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . It's, it's very different than having to learn your lines. I feel like, you know, doing Elf and being Deb and Elf, I was focused on what was Deb, what was happening with Deb, you know? Mm-hmm. , all of that versus like stage managing. I love you, you're perfect. That was it. I like got to know all of those characters.

Mm-hmm. and that the whole show had such meaning. Right. You know? Mm-hmm. . Um, and it's funny just cuz you, you really do live and breathe it and know every little part. I remember I was stage managing cabaret and there was a police siren that went off like late at night and I think one of my cues was based off an air raid.

So I sat up like bolted up in bed and called a queue, like outta dead stage off. I'm like, wait, why? Where am I? ? Oh my God, my gosh. I go back to sleep. It's really like, it's it's in your, it's in there. Yeah. And even now to this day, some of the songs from shows of stage manage, I can hear where the light cues go still.

And it just, it's just part of it. Like you really, that show is your baby. Once the director hands it over. . Now, you said you didn't get into drama until like ninth grade. Mm-hmm. . So how are you so talented? , like your pa clearly your parents are talented. Did they kind of nurture you along the way, teach you how to sing mm-hmm.

And do those kinds of things? Yep. Uh, like I said, my mom, uh, was an opera singer and my dad was heavily involved in theater. Um, my mom has been, um, music director at several churches, so I did church plays and things like that, and she did voice lessons with me and, um, I played flute and took piano lessons and was just kind of surrounded by music and performing my whole life.

It just wasn't like a real mm-hmm. training and drama didn't come until, until high school, but it's arts. . We keep joking. We're kind of like the Von Traps when we all get together. Like we all, you know, we'll take over like the church for the Sunday and all sing together and Oh my gosh. Can make our own band.

My family played at my wedding. They made like a brass quartet and Oh, that's amazing. Everybody can kind of do a little bit of everything, so that's cool. It's a lot of fun. Get your own like Van and travel around. Oh, the Partridge Family. Hello? Yes. Yes. Partridge Family. I love that show. Oh my gosh, I knew you would.

I was like, well Rachel, Angela will know the name of that. all about that when you're doing a school play. Mm-hmm. , you're kind of director, stage manager, costumer, you're a little bit of everything. You're a little bit of everything. And that's what's nice that at least there's two of us teachers so we can split the load.

Um, so when my partner is directing, he's real good with the technical, so he does, you know, the lights and the sets and all that kind of stuff. And then I do the costuming and helping with makeup and hair and you know, just kind of backing him up on whatever he needs. And then when it's me who's usually doing the musical, he still does all the technical.

stuff. Um, you know, the same things. And then I'm still usually figuring out costumes and whatever. And then, uh, I like to get the keyboard teacher involved as the music director cuz she's amazing. Oh, perfect. Mm-hmm. . Um, and so nice to work with and the kids love her. Um, and that takes that load off that if she's doing a music rehearsal, I can pull a scene or I can go pull some costumes or, you know Right.

Find other stuff to do. And the kids love to help and they take over a lot of it. Like we have a student stage manager that we train and they call the cues and one of us is just back there supervising. Um, you know, we had that last year, um, being, you know, the calming force. I forget what it was. Something happened during, I think it was lockers.

No. Was it lockers? No, it was all together now. And a acute, I dunno, something didn't go when it was supposed to. Oh, it was, uh, and you, Mary Pop. Super cow. Yeah. And all of them, you just see the color draining from their faces, . And they're all just like complete like meltdown. I'm like, okay, stop , let's try this again.

All right. Are you sure you pushed whatever button? And sure enough they hadn't pushed whatever button was. Oh gosh. And we all went on. But you know, so, but it was fun watching them learn how to do, to do that process also. Um, and that helps. And I have the kids help me with costumes and I'll pull them over like if they're working on assignment, like, Hey, what do you think about this for this character?

Things like that. Or they try on stuff during class and they get all excited about that so. Mm-hmm. , some of the dance kids, didn't they do some of the choreography for you? Mm-hmm. , the dance majors. Yeah. That's always really nice. Cuz of the three dance would be my weakest. I tell my kids flat out in musical theater, I am an actor that move.

On a good day. Mm-hmm. . Um, so we do, uh, like daily eight count and stuff this year, which I know both Pinky and Lily Kate complain about, but that's okay. I think this completely love See it all the time. I'm like, show me your next date. Yep. . But um, yeah, having, you know, just relying on the kids and their talents, um, is really, it's a lot of fun to see cuz it's their show.

Mm-hmm really. Um, so the more ideas they have and the more that they can bring to the table and take ownership of it, I think the better it is and that I'm there just to, to guide and give suggestions and, you know, little tricks of the trade that they may not think of just cuz they don't have the same experience.

But, you know, I'm hoping for some student choreographers coming up on the, uh, spring musical, which I can't announce yet cuz we don't have. Just yet we're so close . Um, aren't those rights always kind a sticking point, getting in the west rights. I know. I gotta keep moving the droopy mic. It's like, still have d droopy mic.

Just slowly s down and I'm like, Sunday afternoon. It's like, ready to take a nap. Yeah. Serious. Exactly. So we came to , my family, um, went, came to see, you know, Lily Kate and Pinky and all of the talent that you guys have. Mm-hmm. and we were kind of blown away because we had never been to a show at .

Had no idea what we were gonna walk into and watch except we had knew we had like, you know, awesome friends and Yeah. Whatever we were gonna come to support. And, um, from the second that the lights went up, we were like, okay, all right, let's, let's see this. Yeah. And. Was really, really good. Oh, good, good. So those kids, you could tell, put so much effort into what they were doing.

Yes. Yes. Um, and that, you know, I think I even said to you, I was like, how long did they have to put this together? You know? And I was, we were really impressed cuz I'm like, good. Oh my god. You know, so we're super excited for the next one. Yeah. Whatever that may be, we'll be coming to see it. Cheer our, our family.

Yes. . I hadn't heard that one before either. Just made that so much today. . Yeah. So I'm always impressed with the amount of time you put in outside your contracted hours. Yes. Uh, that's, I applaud you. I bow down like Yeah. I, with the junior thespians mm-hmm. with the shows. I know you're late doing light cues and that kind of stuff.

Yeah. And feel like. , I'm sure all the majors, it more than a a regular classroom teacher would have to put in outside hours. It, it is a lot of extra hours. And the other majors, they have their equivalent of junior theskin. They have so, and ensemble in all county and Allstate, just like, we have our act vest in, uh, thespians and all that.

Um, so they have their own things as well. But usually if they're using our theater, then that anything that's using our theater requires us Oh. Also to be there and house manage. Okay. Okay. Um, so that, that is an extra thing that's, that's tacked on us. And they also, like, they're ensembles are, they're classes.

So when we're doing the shows, it's a mix of everybody in the school. So they have to come after school, whereas they can do a lot of practice time during their class time, which does help them out. . But yeah, it's a lot of hours. But, um, fortunately we both have supportive families. Mm-hmm. , who, you know, my partner's got a sweet little puppy, um, that I know his family helps out with, you know, making sure that the dog is fed and got something to drink and gone out and all that.

And, uh, Molly goes to Grandpa Daycare That's awesome. Which is our house . Um, and you know, so he hangs with her if I go to stay late and my husband adjusts his work schedule to make sure that, you know, grandpa's not dying by the end of the day. Right. Um, so, and they're both very supportive that my dad obviously, cuz he was in theater for so long, he, you know, absolutely loves that I have this job.

Yeah. Um, so that helps, um, for sure to, to know that your home stuff is taken care of. Well, yeah, you're with your, your work family. Your work babies. So, yeah, I. People often appreciate how much goes into that, so. Well, thank you. Everyone out there listening. be nice to, to your teacher, teachers hug your, A lot goes into normal teaching, let alone us.

Right, right. This, all this extra. I mean, they used to spend all day with us the other day at, uh, districts. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Longer than I was . Yeah. You were there. You were there past us. Yeah. I think you tapped out. Yeah. She was like, no, we need to go. Yep. Yeah. And so when it comes to costumes and things, is there a budget that's involved in that or are you doing a lot like you're at Target and you're like, oh, hey, this would look great for such and such character.

I'm gonna go ahead and pick that up on my own. Um, it's a, a little bit of both. Uh, we have a very, um, I mean the closet itself is not big, but it is stuffed to the brim. Like you can't walk in there. Um, room. Costumes from various shows that we've done, things that have been donated. Um, Disney donates a lot to Polk County, and so at the beginning of the school year, that's before kids come, we can go and pick through and steal stuff's.

Cool. Yeah. Um, and then, you know, we have a budget, you know, all the profit that we make from the fall ball we did and our shows and anything else that we might do, we can use some of that towards costumes. Okay. Um, in the case of the particular show, I'm hoping that we're working on, I know two community theaters have recently done it, so I'm hoping to make some friends see if a few things we can maybe help out with that too.

Yeah. You know, and our, uh, fine arts director, uh, for the county is really good about, Hey, what do you need? Um, so I know my first show at, we were doing little women and everybody had gotten like these little red capes, like a picture, like what a, a caroler would wear in the snow, but we only had a few of them when we needed more.

Right. Um, so I sent an email out to, uh, to the. , oh my goodness. Spine arts coordinator. And, um, she reached out to other schools and we were able. To, to get some. Okay. Um, so we, you know, and then a lot of collaboration. Yeah. So you kind of, it kind of comes from a little bit everywhere. I already have a wishlist going on Amazon of ideas I've found for the show that I don't have the rights to yet.

So I feel like I'm jinxing it, um, , but I'm like, oh, this would be good. This would be good. Oh, that's, you said it yet, so it's not Jane. Yeah, that's true. Published your wishlist, but not say . Yeah. The kids every day. Miss Na news. Any news? I said, I will tell you as soon as I can tell you something, I promise.

And the kids are re. Oh, they are. Yeah, they are. I know they're already playing out. They'll try to shake it outta you. Oh yeah. They've already pre casted what they think, you know? Of course they have. They always do. They precast everything. Yep. Well we do that too, you know, we do that in high school and you know, at the local theater sometimes you're like, oh, I bet this person's gonna get this and you can't help it.

Yeah, yeah. But it's just human. So when it comes to that, so there's a big audition process, I'm assuming. Mm-hmm. , right? Yes. And then the kids get to come and do they, um, is it like when we're at the community theater and you have like a, a sheet and you put down, you know, what you're interested in, would you take another role?

Mm-hmm. so the kids are able to do a little bit of research and figure out who they wanna be. Mm-hmm. . Okay, cool. Yeah, we, um, because uh, my partner and I have both been very involved in our local theaters, um, and that's the process we're used to. We keep things very similar. Oh, that's awesome. To how it's done there.

Um, so they do have a sheet that they fill out and with conflicts and, you know, will you take this role? Would you take another role? And, you know, I tell them, . I, you know, I draw a lot on my experience as a stage manager and being in the casting process and listening to the decisions. Um, I said, we, we take this seriously and I have seen people not get cast because they put will not take another role.

Mm-hmm. . And if that's true, that's great. But then I've seen people get upset like, oh, I would've, well that's not what you said. Yeah. I can't go hunt you down and ask if you're Sure. Yeah. Um, so they learn, you know, we treat it as seriously as their local theaters would, especially since you got so many crossing over between mm-hmm.

you know, we try to make it as authentic Yeah. As possible for them. Um, so they do that. Uh, sometimes they have to prep, you know, 16 bars for us, just like they would. Okay. Um, when we did a lad in my first year there, I knew that was gonna be a lot of children. Yeah. So we, everything, it's a lot of Jasmines.

It was a lot of Jasmines . That's true. Um, I remember one, a lot of Alas , she started wearing a tiara at a school. Oh. And I, it was an eighth grader and I had no idea who she was. She was not a theater major. . I actually don't remember what her was. She came in PR girl. Oh. And she said, and it's just like stage managing at the local theaters because suddenly, you know, when they think you have something to do with casting, or in that case I did for Latin, they're your best friend.

Right? . So I see this kid and you know, she'd have her tr on, I'd be passing her on the way to lunch. She'd be like, hi, miss Neff. I'm like, hi kid. I don't know. Um, because they're like open, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, um, now for that one we did, uh, a whole new world cuz I figured they already knew it. And I just popped up one girl, one boy, and they sang it through and next, next, next.

And then I called them back. For everything else. It was just the fastest way to hear, can you sing? Right? But then for all together, now they had to prep something just cuz that was so, such a different show. So these shows then are open to everybody that goes to, or just the theater? Fourth grade up. Right.

This one I'm gonna do fourth grade and up. Mm-hmm. Okay. So that we can have more of an ensemble. Oh, that's perfect. If I get the show I want, I am gonna have to include some younger friends. Um, but, and they'll have their own little audition day and it'll be just for those parts. Mm-hmm. , um, . But yeah, for this one, fourth, fourth grade and up and it'll be, um, it's open to the whole school, whole school musical, which is great.

Cuz then, you know, we get the course kids coming in, we get the dance kids, we have band kids who, you know, they like theater, but they really, you know, maybe their dad wanted them to play trumpet or something so they couldn't. Right. Yeah. Um, or they're more into band, but they wanna be in theater. Mm-hmm.

Right. It happens. So it gives, you know, gives everybody a chance to Yeah. It gives everyone a chance to be a part of it, which is you might have some hidden talent in there that you didn't even know about. You know, it's like you discovered that several times before. I think, uh, one of my Aladdin's was a band major, um, a few years ago, so.

Yeah. Yeah. All sorts of kids. How big of a cast are you predicting? It depends on if it's the show. If it's the show, . Um, not too jinx. We're just talking. Just need the superintendent to sign my contract and then I'm good to go. Yeah. Um, but, um, 30 ish. Is what I'm aiming for. But um, one of my colleagues tells me that I'm the anti Grinch.

My heart is too big, and I always end up taking more people than I say I'm going to. Yeah. That seems pretty typical from my experience. I see that a lot. We're so small. Mom of a sudden it's 60 kids. Exactly. I mean, maybe I can double cast it, just kind of. Depends on who I have. Do I have two people to play this part?

Um, for Laddin, I double cast the entire show. I will never do that again. That was a pain in the butt. Oh, the entire show? I did. Oh gosh. And I had, so there was like 30 in each cast. I had a bajillion children. Oh my gosh. It was my first one. Antich. I have like 110 kids auditions. So by taking like 60, you know, whatever.

I still was still passed almost half. I know it was horrible. Now she's the stage 12. Yeah. For real. Um, I have the same problem with musical theater. Like, I have 22 in there right now. Last year I ended up with 23 and we are all, you know, bunched in there together. And I keep telling 'em like, make me stick to 20, I'm cutting off at 20, maybe even 18.

And how many do I have? I have 22. And I have kids who are like, can I get in? And I'm about to say yes, , because I'm like, listen, there's no space, but can't help it. Like, you know, there's, you got all these talented kids and they're excited and you want, you know, I don't wanna be the one that was like, Well, I really wanted to do theater, but you know, my middle school teacher didn't let me in the play and so I quit.

Never did it again like that. In their future podcast, they're referencing you. I don't wanna come up in that, you know, therapist knows all about me. , I don't like that. That's terrible. Like I, you know, my whole job is supposed be nurturing, love of theater, not like squashing your dreams. Yeah. Um, so it's terrible.

I'm gonna end up with a bajillion kids in this show too. I'm sure. Cuz I can't help myself. . So 30 becomes 60. Oh my goodness. Probably. Does your partner help with the casting and like, keeping you in check? ? Um, you said 30. Yeah, he cut it off. Cut it off. Sometimes , sometimes he's as bad as I am with that. Like, oh, well, you know, cuz we try to be like all hard and tough and this is like real theater.

And then we're like, oh, but they did so good. Let's squeeze that into, but they're so cute on the stage. He's too. Um, but yeah, mostly he helps me and then the, uh, our keyboard teacher also helps, um, so that we have a committee decision. Mm-hmm. . So that way if we have parents who are what my daughter was born to play, Jasmine, how could you not ever cast her and at all.

Right. Right. Yeah. Um, then it can be a committee decision. Here's our scoring. She, your daughter scored a one and pitch. She wasn't sure what song she was singing. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Um, and makes it very objective. Exactly. Yeah. And we, you know, I kind of place people where I think, and I show it to them and sometimes they have different ideas.

A lot of the times we're pretty much on the same page, which is really nice. Um, yeah, that's good. And maybe some tweaks here and there and then list goes up. But I definitely like. , we like doing things as a committee. Mm-hmm. , because it really just kind of, you cover each other, you're supporting each other.

And that way if there's someone who's upset, everything's very objective and, you know, multiple eyes were on it. And it just makes, makes your life easier and it helps admin back you up and all the good stuff. Yeah. So like, uh, our experience so far with auditioning for like the community theaters, right?

Mm-hmm. you if you don't get a call back or you don't get cast, you just never really get that feedback. Do you guys provide feedback to the kids? So like, if they audition, they understand, you know, why they did or didn't get cast? Um, sometimes when I was in high school, my theater teacher said, don't ever come to me and ask why you weren't cast or whatever, because my answer's gonna be you weren't good enough.

So if you want to hear that, come ask, but otherwise don't. Um, and I've told the kids that, but I also tell them, you know, I'm also their teacher. So, um, you know, they always get feedback in class on what they did. And if they come, you know, I really thought I blah, blah, blah, blah, then I will sit and I'll tell them, you know, I really liked you, did this and this, right?

Um, I had to cast this person because, uh, you know, sometimes it might be a height thing or an age thing or um, you know, or maybe this one was a little bit stronger, you know, you have a lovely singing voice, you know, I love you in class. This song, this part's just a little bit too high for you. Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm . And, you know, I kind of let them know what the, what the thought process is in general in addition to what may have happened this time. And I try not to get too specific, cuz if they hang on a certain thing and they don't like that, then again, I don't wanna have someone coming back and getting upset with me,

Um, but I do also want them to grow. So it's kind of a, it's kind of a waltz between. brutal honesty and Right. You know, cushioning and you know, so that way they know and maybe giving them something to work towards. Exactly. Like, hey, let's go back to the lab and work on Exactly. Because that's always the hard part, right?

Mm-hmm. , they wanna big groove, they wanna do better for the next time. Some of those things are not changeable things. Right. They look the way they look. Right. That you can't suddenly make somebody be a different height or whatever. Mm-hmm. . Right. Exactly. Or seeing a different range, like that's just kind of how they are.

Mm-hmm. , but some things are things you can improve, like, right. Acting skills or whatever. Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . Absolutely. Um, so, you know, I, we, we do want them to, to understand how to do better and all that. And we also tell them in general like what casting directors look for in general. Especially having been a stage manager and sat in on that so many times.

Um, you know, I share with them, these are some of the things, you know, in general, not about specific people, especially with someone they might know. Um, but this is. The kind of conversations that these people are having. It's the same conversations that all of us at are having. So that way they learn just kind of, if you're gonna continue in this mm-hmm.

this, this is the way of it. Um, and then we also talk a lot about work ethic and mm-hmm. being coachable and things like that, and how much that comes into play. You know, if you're goofing off in class and don't do your work, you know, I don't, I have to have you in class. You're on my roster. I don't have to put you on my show.

Mm-hmm. , I don't. Right. Yeah. So, yeah. Yeah. Um, we talk about that. We talk about that beforehand, not afterwards, like, Hey, weren't paying. But I remind them ahead of time, especially if they're having an off day, like, Hey, you know, you think about, you know, the show is coming up, are you showing yourself to be.

that I wouldn't wanna work with. Yeah. We tell our kids all the time, right? You're always on an audition. Like at school, it would be the same thing. Like, you know, every way you're acting in the cafeteria or the way you're acting, well, we keep getting this repeat message of work ethic. And coachable is a another, you know, great piece that you may be the most talented person, but if you're not willing to take direction or mm-hmm.

change the way you're doing something because you think your way is better. That is off-putting to a director or a director Absolutely. Cost you. Yep. Mm-hmm. . Um, and I've told them stories, real stories of people at community theaters that have come in and mm-hmm. not done their best work and not been easy to work with and Yeah.

They do not get cast again. Mm-hmm. and you get that reputation Right. And you don't want that. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. There's one that went from one theater caused an issue, a big enough issue that the next theater got a heads up. Oh wow. Took a chance. Caused the same issue. And then that person went to audition for a big local entertainment company, um, where a fellow castmate happened to be a decision maker.

And when that person walked in the room, that was a big no-go. I tell 'em, the theater community's small. It is so small, we all know each other. You never know who you're gonna run into. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. So you have to be, you have to be coachable. And I told 'em that exact same thing that you said, that I would rather work with someone who is less talented mm-hmm.

but is gonna work for it. Mm-hmm. . Um, and I had a kid last year who is very talented and I happened to not put them in one of the numbers. And I noticed while we were working on that number, she was in the aisles of the house every day working on the dance. Oh. And one, just cuz she enjoyed the dance and was just doing it.

She had no expectation of anything and she would never ask. And I looked at her one day, I said, you know this entire dance, don't you? And she goes, yeah. I said, get up there. And it's better than the number. Oh my gosh. She was doing it, so why not? Yeah. Yeah. Yes. What's one more? It's my grin chart. . . I'm on the stage.

She, you know, and I think that made an impression of the kids too, like Oh, mm-hmm. , like, you know. Yeah. See that's how she just spend messing around. No, like I talent, you know, talent is great, talent is noticed, but work ethic and willingness to, you know, cooperate with others and to try is mm-hmm. noticed way more.

Mm-hmm. all, you know, all the way up. So Yeah. You tell the story of the one that road rage. How did that go? Yeah. Uh, I mean, it wasn't something I was participating in, it was told to me, but, um, this person had had road rage before they actually like went into their audition and when they arrived, the stage manager was the person they had road raged on, and they went in before that person went into the audition and was like, no.

Told, you know, and then they weren't cast. Yeah. Mm-hmm. . You're, you're on an audition. Always. Yeah. Yeah. You never watch that Road rage. . . That's a good thing. I don't audition . I, I am like, I mine my Ps and Qs like way more now. . I'm like, oh shit. I didn't know that was a thing. , I will stop the road. Right. They talk for sure.

Yeah. You never know. Just be a good human. Right. We talk about that. Exactly. Yeah. I think I tell Lily Kate's class all the time, just be civil. Just be civil. Mm-hmm. just means stick to the words on the page. It feels like they may and totally could be wrong, have settled down a little bit. They have. Okay.

They have, I love them. They are, are they rowdy? They're, or were they rowdy? They're, they're like the island of misfit toys and I've said that to them, so I'm okay with saying that here. . Um, I love them. I love her class. I really do. They, last year there were some personality combinations that were tough and then that class.

they, you know, the, the Covid shutdown was their fourth grade year, right? They spent fifth grade online and now we're sort of back to normal in sixth grade. So we missed that growing up in upper elementary. And they came back to sixth grade and they were a little feral and , it took a little bit fer, you know, but they, they took a lot of retraining, like, okay, we're here, we are in school.

And then you added in, there was some personalities that just did not clash, and they did it match were constant. Um, one of, uh, my colleagues Iden called my sixth grade class last year, the, who's who of sixth grade. I was like, oh, thank you, um, . But you know, they, you know, they were lovable then and they're lovable now.

Mm-hmm. . Um, they've grown up a little bit and that class, like there's a lot of talent in that class and there's a lot of kids that really want to do theater. They were just letting the wrong drama. . Right. Get in the way. Mm-hmm. and now, like they have a showcase coming up this Friday of their scene work that they're really excited about and I made it really big and gave them like costume pieces and props and like all sorts of stuff that Nice we never get to do in class.

Um, so they're super excited. Um, so yeah, I do, I love that group. They're ridiculous . I know. Just she would, cate would come home. She's a big eaves dropper. I'm sure you'd noticed that. Yes. eaves drop peeking over my shoulder. I not, I never would thought, she's like, these kids tell me the tea. Oh, she knew it all.

They love the tea, but, and she doesn't tell me stuff this year, so I'm like, it must be going a little smoother this year. It's, it's smoother. Yeah. Um, for sure. But yeah, they just, they're, they al they always want me for something. Mm-hmm. , it, it's like having a whole bunch of small kids, miss ne. Come watch my scene.

Miss Neff. Miss Neff. Can I go to the bathroom? Miss Neff, miss Neff. And it's like the, they remind me of buddy of the Elf. Like they just have that enthusiasm, like, okay, hey dad, you know, I, I had some chocolate syrup today. Great news. I saw the puppy and okay, bye. I'll see you a little bit. I'm like, don't you have a scene to practice

Like, whatcha are you doing? It's really cute. Um, but, and then they're like, Ms. Steph, when are you grade my stuff? I'm like, When you stop asking me questions, . Yeah. I'm like, I'm sitting here trying to do grades while you guys are, you know, rehearsing real quick and you're all wanna come tell me about a puppy or something.

So imagine by eighth grade you'll have channeled all that energy into their acting and they're performing and they're gonna be amazing sounds and the product. Lovely. . I think it's a great testament though, probably to the impact you're having on your kids. Mm-hmm. , right? Like they're seeking your approval.

Yes. They want to involve you. Mm-hmm. , they're excited about you. Yeah. So let that, you know, be a reflection of how you are and how awesome that they think that you are. You know, they appreciate that they are. Yeah, it's true. They're so cute. They didn't like you. They would've wanna involve you. This is true.

They would be hiding from me. Yes. Yes. No, I know all their drama. I don't know why. I know all their drama, but they tell me everything. So I know they trust you. Yeah. They trust you. Yeah. I know all the tea. Yeah, that's, and then they like, you know, oh, go to do scene partners. They're like, did you do that on purpose?

I'm like, well, if you guys quit telling me stuff like , you know? Yeah. There's only so many combinations. Right. But there's no deniability because they tell you everything. Right. I'm like, can't be like, so sometimes I'm like, yeah, I did. Why? Because why not ? Yeah. Because he has your hair clip. So I figured I have an hour

You don't wanna be seen partners and leave each other alone. Now you, now you're over there together . You even have something to say. Mm-hmm. , I'm always just so grateful because I've, I've got you and I've got your partner mm-hmm. that come in with all this experience and knowledge and our kids get to experience that every single day and get to grow and learn with you.

And I'm just unbelievably grateful. Cuz like you said, we had a different middle school experience with my older one. Yeah. And the difference is just crazy. Yeah. It's night and day different. Yeah. Yeah. It it like they come home happy. good. Mm-hmm. good. They like their school, they like their teachers, they love you.

Mm-hmm. , um, yeah. It's, it's, yeah. They have to look forward to it. Like, oh, I get to sing my song tomorrow. Yeah. Or I get to do my scene tomorrow. Yeah. Well, you know, and it's, it's only three years. Mm-hmm. that they get to spend with you. Mm-hmm. , but it's like the most memorable three years for them, right?

Mm-hmm. . And so then they go on to high school and they're like, oh, I have to go back and visit, you know? Yeah. Mm-hmm. , I'm sure you, you get that. Oh, for sure. Yeah. When they come back. I know that Pinky's, uh, sad that this is her last year with you. That's right. I keep, I'm sad. It's my last year with Pinky, so There you go.

And I'm really like, man, I'm like, you know, dear and a half. I'm like halfway done with Lily Cater already. Like, what the heck? Let's go so fast. Yeah, it does fly. It's so crazy. So now with, um, with Pinky matriculating mm-hmm. to fine Arts, let's just cross our fingers on that. Mm-hmm. , we know she's gonna get it.

Um, do you get to have some sort of say in that, like, are you able to be a reference or how does that work for her application? Like, . Mm-hmm. . Okay. Um, I can be an arts reference for, for Harrison. Okay. Um, if they're applying for that. Mm-hmm. , um, or anything else I've had, someone was just applying for a job and wanted to know if I could be a character, uh, Ooh.

A character reference for them, and I said, yeah, sure. Nice. Um, but, uh, every year I have multiple kids asking me for, to be a reference on their arts application for whatever schooling is coming next. Okay. We did. That's good. I wasn't already done. We're planning to, so you have every year, but you have to get two for going into Harrison.

Okay. Mm-hmm. . And so Yeah, she was, she was one of'em. She was, so you don't get to know what they say. Oh, okay. It, um, like it used to be when Mikayla first, um, auditioned for Harrison. you. It, it was like written. Mm-hmm. . And they had to give it to you in a sealed envelope and then you had to deliver that sealed envelope.

Sealed. Yeah. And it so had to be sealed so you couldn't like, look, you didn't get to know. No. Now it's all electronic. They're seeing it open or ? No, it's all like, yeah, they just send me a link and I open and I like this so much better than the handwritten one. Cuz my hand bet is cramping up after doing several of 'em.

Oh, so you can just type it out. ? Yeah, just type it out and uh, it just ship straight off. And I give them the number to put on their application to connect the two, the two things, okay. Mm-hmm. and then it's done. Is there a She's horrible. We're gonna fail her so she can stay with me one more year. , she's not quite ready yet, so we're gonna keep her.

Is there a high percentage of kids that matriculate from a to Harrison or of those that, that apply. Okay. Yep. Um, we have several, um, that go, I don't know what the numbers are. Yeah, no, that's okay. Um, but I figured because you're not like sister. Fine arts. I've only known, you've heard it, referenced it like was a feeder school.

Yes, I've heard that too. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know what stats go behind that, but I've heard a lot of people say it. Mm-hmm. , I mean, I used to think, and this is my own negativity, like, you know, ignorance. But I always thought that if you went to automatically got into Harrison, no, unfortunately. Nope. Case big fat.

No, go on that one. So you still have to, you know, apply and do all of that. Right. But I would think that they would look highly onto that. You know, you've already had that experience. You've already done shows, you've had some of that academic, you, I know think the lotto immersion going into though is just that Right.

It is just a lottery for once they're there, if they put in the work mm-hmm. like your girls do, um, then, you know, they know that we're, yeah, I don't wanna call it a product, but that what we're producing at is, um, is quality. Is quality. Mm-hmm. . And that we, you know, um, if we're recommending them, we recommend them.

Mm-hmm. . Um, and there's a few references that I've. Basically found a nice way to put, you would be a fool not to take that. Right? Like, this kid is meant for this. Um, they were born for it. Yeah. And, um, but yeah, and I think we've had a few kids maybe not get in or get wait listed or things like that. And I always tell 'em just to hang on, cuz people move, things change.

And then many of them, by mid-summer, they still get in. Yes. Um, so most of our kids, if they want it, they get it. Okay. Um, but, but you know, they, because they've worked for it. Right, right, right. You know, so Yeah. I, I recently found out that they only take like, what, 12 mm-hmm. or something at Harrison. At least in the musical theater.

Mm-hmm. . Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Woo. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. It's very competitive. Yeah. It is very competitive. Mm-hmm. . And then you gotta think about the ones that are moving into our area because they've heard about the school. Like we know there's one that's coming. Yeah. Probably two. Two. Okay. We'll have to offline talk about that since we don't try not to mention the other names, but Yeah.

Yeah. They're literally moving into the county. Oh, just, okay. And they're moving in so they can go to Harrison. . I mean, it's a lot of competition. Yeah, it is. It's, it's a little stressful fit. I know it is, but I tell the kids That's January's problem. . I know. It comes up so fast. It does. Um, but you know, I tell the kids also, and Harrison is a wonderful school and a wonderful program, and there's so many great opportunities there, but we also tell them that that's not nec, that's not the only path, right?

Mm-hmm. . It's not the end all be all. It's not. Yeah. No. Um, and again, it's great, but, um, like I didn't have, you know, like it was band of course in middle school, and then in high school we did have theater and we had more of the arts, but I went to a regular old high school, like a George Jenkins kind of high school that didn't, you know, a variety of things.

And we happen to have a wonderful theater program because we had a wonderful teacher who built it into an amazing program. And I had good experiences and did thespians and all that. And, You know, I'm sitting here today still with a great career with, you know, a great job, you know, with theater, you know, in my life every day.

And I didn't go to a Harrison mm-hmm. , that that wasn't a thing where I was. And so, you know, if you get in, great. I hope you love it. Mm-hmm. . Um, but if not, you know, and I tell them like, your art will be there for you when you need it. Like, I had been not involved for a long time, and then La Mis popped up at, you know, that community theater just because I happened to go see a different show.

Yeah. And then now, you know, and that all led to this series of events. So you, you just never know. So Yeah. It's, it's amazing if you care about your art and you know, it comes and finds you just like love , so Oh it exactly. Right. Doors open when they're supposed to. That's right. Exactly. Exactly. Absolutely.

And you get the roles you're supposed to get hit myself and then you don't get the other ones . Yeah. Yep. And that's okay too. Yeah. It's totally okay. Rejection is good. Yeah. It's part of the process. It is for sure. And that's how you get better. Yeah. Right. . So hopefully you're gonna get back into the theater at some point.

I would love to , you know, my time with what time exactly. all that spare time. Yeah. If I'm not at, I'm at home chasing my two year old. Mm-hmm. . And you know, I'm just soaking up time with her. Yes. Cause she's funny. Well, you have the best role right now. Yes. And that's being a mom. Yeah. So, yes. That's gonna be fantastic.

So now will you, obviously your family's gonna expose her to arts and music mm-hmm. And all that wonderful stuff. Yep. So you may become your own drama, mama. Yeah, momager. You get to be a momager. A momager. I'm a, my gosh, I'll never die. I just learned that. Well, do you seek words, glimpses of it yet? Oh, for sure.

You should hear that kid with her renditions of wheels on the bus and my gosh, alphabet. Even today. She was do, she's just started singing some of these songs that I've been singing to her forever where she's doing wheels on the bus and I don't know, that must be a very big bus cuz every animal is on it,

And they've got the wipers going. Oh my God, I love that. And, but you know, she's too, so she can't get all the words. So like, outta nowhere, she'll be going, what's nay, nay, nay, nay. Oh, Tony . And I'm . And then I realized, oh, the horse is going. Na na na. Also the horse is on the bus. Yes. What is adorable? Um, it's like the arc.

She's got all the animals. Oh, for real. It is like the Noah's arc of wheels on the bus there with everything is on it. Um, and she does the most, she was singing it. She loves Ola and she was singing it to her Ola in the car yesterday on the way home. And she's like making Olaf's hands go like switch, switch version.

Oh my gosh. Circle. So yeah, she definitely, she's gonna come by her arts. Mm-hmm. . Especially if she's hanging out with your dad too. Yep, yep. They do all sorts of songs and stuff all day. Mm-hmm. . And you know, I come home and sing with her and my husband sings with her and so, yep. That's awesome. So if you were to go back, what would be your dream role?

Oh goodness. I won't say if when you go back . Yes. Yes, exactly. Um, I would really love to, I would love, honestly just to be on, in the ensemble of something where I'm not in charge. I don't have a whole lot to learn. I just get to be a part of the show. Mm-hmm. And sing really fun songs. Yeah. And just be in it.

Yeah. Um, being in the ensemble of Hunchback is on my list, just cause the music is incredible. Just stick a choir room, mommy. And stick me in the corner somewhere. You don't have to light me. Just let me go sing the music for a little bit. Mm-hmm. . Um, I wanna do that one. Um, I got real tempted by into the woods.

I just didn't have the time for it. Yeah. Um, okay.

I would love to do that. I would love to Baker's wife. I think that part would be really fun. Um, I think I'm still in the right age range for that. Um, what else? There's a show called, they're playing our song and I took a scene and duet from that to state when I was in high school and it's just a two person show about a songwriter and a lyricist and I think that would be a really fun show to do.

Nobody ever knows what it is or does it, but , um, you can bring it to, I really do like that one. So my own theater produce their novice anyway to you, you know, it's meaningful to you. So that's important. But yeah, hunchback I think would pull me, pull me out. Um, anything else that would be a good ensembley?

I cuz I think the ensemble's more fun. Honestly. It is a lot of the fun ensemble. Oh my goodness. It is. It really is. Oh my God, I love that fun Ensemble . After we saw, um, hunchback a couple of. years ago. Yeah. Lily Kate and I got in the car and she just said, I just need a minute. I need to just sit here for a minute.

Cuz the music was so powerful. Exactly. Yeah. It really was the whole show. So the show was so good. Yes. And they did such a great job of it. Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. at at Harrison. Like, I mean, they put on amazing shows. Yeah. Um, but yeah. Goosebumps. Yeah. We, we literally sat there for about five minutes, just like, okay.

Yeah. Process. Digest that. Yeah. Okay. Now I can go back to, and I think we talked about it for weeks. Mm-hmm. after. Mm-hmm. . I mean, it was, we left there and we were like, that's like a Broadway situation right there. Mm-hmm. . I mean, that could have easily just been Boop, change the theater. Yeah. Here we are. And those people are, it's so good.

It's so good. Those kids. And that was one of my favorite movies as a kid when that came out. And then the music's even better. Oh, it's amazing. And the. Just, ugh. Yeah. We're learning a lot through this whole thing because mm-hmm. , I grew up going to shows, but more of the classical ones, you know, the Phantom Lems, that kind of stuff.

So I'm learning so much through my children Right. About all the different shows and, uh, yeah. Same. I don't, I, like, once Pinky started getting into theater and her and Lily Kate would have conversations, I'm like, I don't know. I don't know what you're talking about. . Like, I was in, I went to the, I was a band nerd, so like, I went to the Macy's parade and part of like, the shit you gotta do when you go to New York right.

Is go see a show. And they took us and we got tickets to Phantom of the Opera. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. And so we saw Phantom and of course, yeah. This's amazing show. Mm-hmm. . And then I did, I did a lot of trips in band. Um, I did a trip as, um, an ambassador or whatever for Florida musicians. And so we went and did like 16 countries in, or no, like seven countries in 16 days or something like that.

And when we went to London, we Fantastic saw. It was amazing, by the way, it was like a high school student , right? It was, it was outside of the school system. Okay. Oh wow. Um, but I got recommended by my band and teacher at the time. Um, or a couple of 'em, cuz we had three, we were a huge band. Yeah. Um, but we went, I saw Le Mis in London and you know, I was like, holy shit, this is amazing.

Mm-hmm. , but like, I've not seen anything else really. Uh, I was drug a couple of times to our local community theater once we moved here to Lakeland and I saw Peter Pan and Greece and I was like, holy shit, this is in our local community theater. But like, I didn't see anything else. Those seasons, like, you know, theater just wasn't like on my radar for some reason.

So when the kids start talking about stuff, I'm at a loss. I'm often nodding my head like, I know exactly what they're talking about. Sometimes you, but most of the time not. What does that mean? Yeah. With other adults too. Like, oh yeah, I'm singing this from this. I'm like, oh, that's nice. Yeah, that's, I know exactly what you're talking about.

Love that song. Unless it's like an obvious show, right? I know. No clue. So much yet to learn. Yeah. Oh, goodness. I know. I'm always trying to steer them back to some of the classics. Mm-hmm. and things like that, because they're all talking about, I feel like every show that they come up with, that they're auditioning with, like the songs that your girl sang, I know those shows.

Right. Um, so now I'm like feeling like behind and having every research and stuff, but I'm always pushing 'em back towards, um, the older stuff and just like, go experience something else. Let's get, let's get off Beetlejuice for a second. Right. And Beetlejuice is great, but like, you know, like there's a whole catalog out here of stuff that I don't even think you guys have heard of, so, um, No, it's Beetlejuice and mean girls.

That's the only thing. Matter mean Girls. I'm like, listen, like go back a little bit. Even to Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde actually has a really good soundtrack. . That one's fun. I didn't even know, you know, girls said the same thing actually. And cuz she was like, it's so much better. Legally Blonde's music is so much better than Mean Girls.

It really is. Kids are like stuck on mean girls. They're They are. Yeah. We're actually going to Legally Blonde when it comes in January. Mm-hmm. , that's, uh, it's coming to the RP funding center, right? Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Yeah. I should get us tickets too, but Yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. I feel I'm gonna be dragging or kicking, screaming cuz you know, it's just not, it's not the one she's interested in.

Oh. I mean, I got her tickets to the one she's interested in. Mm-hmm. , it's gonna be down in Sarasota or something. Mm-hmm. tickets are up around the fridge. Oh, there you go. Yeah. I think Get Mean Girls a chance. Yeah. For mean girls Right. Sometimes I'm like, no, you're going to see this like my grandmother did to me.

Right. Yeah. You know? Yeah. I didn't wanna go see a fan of the opera. I was Stalin getting dressed in the bathroom. That was back when you like dressed up, like full on trial. Pearl High. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. And she got so mad at me. She came in and just, I had this control top pans, and she just grabbed them and yanked them up.

we're going, was your cross all the way down here? Oh yeah. . She was ready to go. Let's go. It was horrible. We all know what that feels like. I'm just, yes. But she took me to all those things and I'm so grateful now that she did. Mm-hmm. , because I have had experienced all that, but not the new stuff, not the beetle juices and that kind of stuff.

Oh, behind. Yeah. As soon as those tickets go on sale. Cuz they're, oh yeah, they're torn here. They're coming to. , Dr. Phillips, maybe they're coming to Dr. Phillips or something like that. Mm-hmm. . And, uh, so when they get the tickets, I'm gonna get her some for that too. Mm-hmm. , I'm gonna, she's getting tickets for that one.

Cuz I love that show. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. It's a good show. Mm-hmm. , I didn't even, when did mean girls come out as a musical? I didn't even know that was a thing. I, I don't know. I knew it was a movie. Yeah. It was like Heather's, I knew Heather's was a movie and the kids were like, Heather's like the great music, blah, blah, blah.

And I'm like, that's a musical too. Yeah. , that's wild to me. I'm like, okay. Christian Slater and Lindsay Lohan are now coming to the stage. No, they're not, they're not , but I'm Anona Rider. Sorry. Oh, so she did Beetlejuice obviously and also did Heather's, but clearly she's not a musical. No, but that's just interesting that that timeframe is all those mm-hmm.

shows, you know? Yeah. , I squirrel on you. Sorry. You did take I do that. It's ok. You know, what was your first squirrel of this episode? Oh, love. There you go. We usually squirrel. A lot more . Any advice you have for kids who want to get involved in theater? What, what can they do to just do it? Go try. Um, if you're really serious about it, go take some classes.

Uh, both of the local theaters offer a bunch of classes. Take voice lessons, take dance lessons, um, and go a, you know, just audition for stuff. Just go, go try mm-hmm. . Um, cuz you never know what's gonna come for it. You never know what someone might see in you that you maybe haven't seen in yourself yet. And it just, you know, it's worth, the worst thing that's gonna happen to you is you don't get in the show.

That's it. And then there's always another show. Mm-hmm. that you could go try for that. . Yeah. Like it's not, it's not a one and done kind of thing. Mm-hmm. , you can just keep going for as long as it's of interest to you. So just, you know, go try, go do it. Take some classes, take some training, go figure out what it's all about and you know, go have fun with it.

You don't have to be the best at whatever. Just go do a fun. You love it. Yeah. Jump in. Be the fun song. Well, that's the best part, . Awesome. Any other questions from you guys? No. Okay. ? I don't think so. I've had so much fun meeting you. Yeah, I do. And uh, yeah, I can't wait to do some, I can't wait to see the next show.

Once we figure out what y'all know what it is, officially know what it is. Yeah. We're so I just need them to sign it and pay for it. Cuz I can't sign it myself as them through the district as soon as that happens. Do you think it'll be before Christmas? I'm hoping. Listen, if they tell me that it is signed and it is paid for and they're, we're just waiting on them to actually ship it.

I can find the music for this and we're just gonna go, you start going with it. nice. If it's in the mail, we're just going, whether it's actually here yet or not, because I would love to be able to send them with their scripts home over the break and Oh yeah. And not have the waiting. Um, and just, yeah, and just go for it.

So you can go ahead and do the auditions and everything before Christmas. I would love to. It's gonna be a blitz, cuz this week is already crazy busy with the parade and, you know, seventh Parade showcase. And then, so that really gives me two weeks to get it auditioned, cast, read through, here's your script.

Have a good break. Mm-hmm. . Oh, wouldn't that be fabulous though, to have that bli all settled? That's what I did for Aladdin and that was really, really nice. But I also, you know, with the theater being renovated, I knew, you know, like, sorry, when we were doing Aladdin, I didn't have to worry about that. So we had that ordered in like August.

Mm-hmm. . Um, whereas this one we just found out and as soon as we found out, we're like, okay, go. But now it's, you know, it's our process to get it. Mm-hmm. . So we're, is there somebody we need to call for you as if we don't.

Can pretend. Yeah. The theater renovation pictures look amazing. Oh, I'm so excited. It's gonna be, it's gonna be really, really great. You can't wait to see it in person. I know. Know. And it's, it's, it's coming along. They've poured a lot of the concrete, we've got the new steps in. The ramp is up, the booth is all framed and Oh, that's so cool.

It's going through a reno. Yeah. Yeah. It's completely different. Just the house. Um Okay. Be less of a slope. Uh, it's more, uh, wheelchair friendly. Okay. It's more Ada. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. We were Gotcha. Not quite, cuz it's a, it's a historical building so it's was a little out of compliance. Sure. So we're adjusting that.

Okay. And, uh, Yeah, it should be good. We've been looking at paint samples and picking out like, you know, carpet colors. Nice. Oh, that's super exciting. Yeah, it's been fun. So we're like holding up, uh, my aps tied to like some of the carpet, so she's like, well that looks kind of like the, uh, theater curtain come here.

We're like, pull this tie down. Like, okay, yeah, match. And he's like, what are you doing? I'm like, I don't like that one. That one looks like okra. And he's like, what crap. So it's been fun. I'm really excited to see it done and to christen it with this new show that unpack it so close. Well, hopefully that'll happen soon and you can get that done and, and get our producer on the, you know, whipping.

some people, so they sign stuff, right? It's like pay for things. That's your job now. . Just add that to your list producer slash everything else. Whipper slash whipper . I'm putting that on business card.

Well, thank you so much for joining us. Yeah, thanks for having me. This was really fun. And let's go hang out like not recording . Definitely. I would love Those are the conversations everybody wishes. Yeah, for sure. That's the real tea.

Like this week we're gonna have our puppets. You guys are gonna get to meet Bumble . Like, I mean, we've seen, you know, I showed with you guys what we saw from our puppet master, puppet maker, whatever she, whatever that title is. Mm-hmm. . Anyway, um, just the pictures of that. Mm-hmm. , but like, I haven't seen it either, so I'm really excited.

Yeah. Because there's gonna be like, there's a shit ton of puppets. Well, okay, so you guys have Bumble, but then you're also gonna have a Rudolph puppet. Okay. You're gonna have Ranger puppet. Mm-hmm. and Santa's sleigh as well. So you'll be very busy in puppet lands. Did you order your jumpsuits yet? Yes, same came in.

I didn't order. Yeah, our, I have toron the kids, the code to the lockers down there so they could go get 'em. Cuz they came for us too. So it looks like a, I just ordered mine yesterday. It'll be here. White Ghostbusters. Yes. We need a little symbol on our back. . We can put this on like a little bumble. Yes. A drama Mama symbol.

Print it out. You just need a little one. One. Doesn't have to be big. I know. Yeah. We can get little pins made and just put them just right on our face. So on a little patch . Yeah. Oh my gosh. Oh goodness. Amazing. So how's your week been? You had We had the holiday. Yeah, we had than Thanksgiving. What'd you guys do for Thanksgiving?

We just had, it was just the four of us and my mom came over and it was just really quiet, but. Lily Kate insisted on a traditional Thanksgiving meal. So I, you know, pulled out all the stops and made the casser rolls and all that and it was wonderful. And I did a little Turkey breast cuz I didn't want to cook a whole Turkey.

And it was actually really good. I love those ones that don't have any of the bones in 'em. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what it was. You just sliced have a butterball sliced delicious. I don't even like Turkey gravy on there. Mm-hmm. , you said it was gluten free, so that's fantastic. That's perfect. Yeah. How about you guys?

Where'd you go? Well, my parents. Okay. Um, my brother and his wife actually did all the cooking. Oh, nice. We made, well I say we, I don't do any of the cooking. We all know that , but people watching us don't know that. I don't know. Um, I'm not a cook. Um, I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich. Mm-hmm. , but that's about, that's about the extent of my skills.

So Chris made, um, macaroni and cheese. Mm-hmm. with like Ritz crackers. Oh gosh. It's so good. Oh, that does sound, yeah. It's kind of. Salty And, and then, and then the crunch and the, yeah. Anyway. Mm-hmm. , it's good. And then he spent all day making macaroons. Oh my gosh. And we had, we had a whole thing full of macaroons to take and we brought home none.

Oh, that's too bad. . I was kinda hoping there might be a few left more when we do the get together, the drama on together for Christmas, we need to plan that and come up with the dates. Yes. Okay. So, um, anyway, so he made macarons in that. And then, um, I bought pumpkin pie . Did you put it in your own little tin?

No, I, I totally left that, I left it in the box. Did you have like, literally cut the paper of the Publix, you know, like to do, to crack it open? I, yeah. When we got there I was like, here you guys burst out and they're probably very, very happy to have Yeah. Some pumpkin pie. Well, my mom was never really the cook kind of growing up.

Like she always did the cooking. Mm-hmm. , but it was not like her thing. Mm-hmm. , it wasn't her jam. Yeah. You know, it was always like, I'm sorry mom, I know you're listening to these podcasts, but like, you know, burnt hamburger pucks and really tried dry Turkey Thanksgiving. She tried. She did try. And to be honest with you, I actually like stuff a little more on the toasty side because of it.

Like I grew up eating that, so it's comfort to me. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. So like, Chris always gives me so much shit because I'm like, Hey baby, when you, when you heat up the sanitizers, can you cook mine a little longer please? . So do you like your steak? Well done because of all I did for a long time actually. Okay.

But, um, I've found like, Given time, I can learn to eat things differently. Yes. Um, I, I'm still, I'm lot like, I have a lot of things in common with McKaylan, her Asperger's with this, but like, uh, the textures of things, I'm very sensitive to stuff. Mm-hmm. and so I've become, I, I've had to learn to kind of overcome that because there can be a lot of flavor to be found in things that are not like burnt to a crisp.

Right. Yes. Right. You know, surprisingly not carcinogenic as well. So I actually like steaks now. More medium little, little more bloody. Okay. Which was, you know, I'm never gonna be a rare girl. Mm-hmm. for sure. No, but no. There's a lot more flavor in a medium steak, for example. Yeah. Anyway, so yeah. I feel you on that one.

My mom is a hockey puck hamburger. Like she'd be like, when you think it's well done enough, put it on a little bit more. I mean, that's just how she is. Yeah, sure. I mean, you can add some liquid to it, like put some ketchup on it or something, and that makes it

one steak sauce. No, it's true. And so I grew up like that too. And so when I met pj he was, he's like a medium rare, rare type of guy, and I'm like, well done. And we'd be sitting at dinner waiting for like two hours for our meal to come out and he's like, that's your steak. We're waiting on . He's like, mine was done a while ago.

I know it's still mooing when it comes out, but man, it's cold now. Yes. Or we would go out to eat and then we wanna share something. Well, we can't do that because he wants his this way and I. So we've learned to kind of meet in the middle, and we're like, so now if we're gonna share something, it'll be a medium.

So I know I will eat probably around the outside and then take the rest of my home because tomorrow when I heat it up in the microwave, it's gonna be perfect. . , right? Yeah. So I feel you on that piece. Yeah. Isn't that funny? How, what our parents, you know what you brought in, you know? Mm-hmm. , the nurturing, but you don't realize people do it differently.

For the longest time, I mean, I'm still realizing people do things differently than my family did. Yeah. Because you just think that's the way everybody has it growing up. Well, you know, the funny thing is, if you think about it really, like the whole, the internet has changed a lot of our ability to see beyond our own kind of zone, you know?

Yeah, it's true. And we're not in our little own little bubble anymore. No. I mean, so if you just grew up like kind of in your own little bubble and you didn't like have the ability to experience, of course you would think that. Yeah. Yeah. Everybody's like this. Everybody eats Uck or delicious. Yeah. I mean, look, in all fairness, if I was going to cook, it might come out like that too, right?

Yeah. You know, and I say a mean grilled, say grilled cheese sandwich. That's what I make. But it's like, I like it slightly toasted more and I like it flattened. Like I sit there in spatula. Yeah, she's kinda Chris on it, which Mikayla likes it that way too. Belly, you know, so shit. Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . Anyway. Hey, well the important thing is, is it works for you.

It does. And it works for your family. That's right. So Chris is kind of the cook, right? Yep. For you guys. Yeah. That's how it's, I don't really cook. I mean, I can't, peanuts are so lucky. Oh, I have to do all the cooking. Aw. I mean, I'm a little bitter. I didn't clean too. I do a lot of the cleaning. Yeah, I clean.

Yeah, I don't know. Pet does a lot of cleaning too, but, but I'm sure your hub brings a lot to the table too. It does. You know, it's just not the cooking and cleaning. Yeah. Mm-hmm. . No, that's okay. Mm-hmm. , you know. So you guys went to Georgia? We did. We drove all the way up to Georgia. Had never been to like how far into Georgia did you go?

So, a little bit west of Atlanta. Okay. So we drove through. Yeah. . So we like drove through Atlanta. Had never been there before. Of course it was dark by the time we got there. And so the kids are like, oh, look at all the buildings, you know, lots of fun. Cuz they don't know, you know, it's just gonna Hawaii want we go to New York City, they're gonna be Oh gosh, alone.

Oh gosh. I can't wait. Socks. Yeah. Mm-hmm. . So, and we brought the dogs. So for listeners that don't know, we have two rather large Labradoodle mixes. And um, yeah, if you don't know the dogs, you'll meet them on episode. That was the first one. I know. Episode one. Go back, back to episode one and you'll hear them drinking.

They're laughing in the background and panting and whatever else they're doing back there. . But we love them. We call them the boys. They're two years old. They're quarantine puppies that we got from neighbors down the road. Anyway, so I say that because they're not socialized very well. Oh, right. So we weren't sure how this was gonna roll, but we all climbed into PJ's, Pathfinder.

And let me tell you, those dogs. slept like they were fantastic. We could have not have asked for better. Awesome. Yeah. For being, it's hard to travel with animals. Mm-hmm. and they did great. They laid down, you know, we had one kid here in the second row, one kid in the third, and then had the other seats down with comforters and they just laid out, did their thing.

We stopped twice on the way up, twice on the way back Wow. For them to go out and they peed and did their business and we'd give 'em a little water and they'd hop right back in. Of course now they bark at everything . Well, because that's their way. Yes. They do live in a little bubble. Mm-hmm. , you know, so other dogs and people and things are exciting.

So yeah. But that was great. So we did that. We got up to PJ's Brother's house. They have a beautiful home in Georgia. And um, the dogs, they also have two little children and two little girls. And so the dogs were not quite sure about that. So they spent their Thanksgiving, the dogs, not the kids, um, downstairs in their finished basement where we were.

Had we had our own space, it was great. We had a kitchen, the whole nine yards. That's nice. Oh, that's nice because it's just not worth it because at the end of the day, they are just dogs. Mm-hmm. . And so we did not wanna make the girls scared or anything because they would just bark at them. Like, it's almost like they didn't know what to do with these little, it's what they do with Pinky every time she comes over.

They do. And I think cuz Pinky's right. Yell at her until she sits down and then, then they're like, okay, now be there. Exactly. , they're so serious about it. They're, and they just like wanna corral her, you know? And so I think Pinky's probably the shortest human that they've seen. Like her Gabby, you know, look, she's, I know you dunked your thing over.

I did. But she's like, this one slowly drifts. That's what's funny. Yeah. Uh, look, she's on, she's on the shot. So she's, I'll tell you. She's growing. She's doing great. Sorry to interrupt for just a second. No, you're good. You're good. Every year for Christmas, I make my mom a photo book. . And I also make one for Lily Kate of her shows.

Nice. That's such a good one. It takes forever in a day. But one of the things I noticed was how much Pinky's grown since last year. Cause I was doing pictures of states from last year. Okay. And this size difference between Lily Kate and Pinky was like, she was half of Lily Kate and now she's, she has definitely grown.

Like it's really to see that difference in what I know. When you're with her every day, you don't see it the same. Yeah. Yeah. Because like, I'll have to send you one of those pictures cause it was like, for sure she's grown so much. Yeah. Okay. Back to your story. Yeah. . No, no, no, no. It's true. And so when they saw these little humans who are, you know, Three and five, or they were like, oh, what is this?

I mean, and you know, Mark's littlest is literally like right at blue's height, you know? And so like in her face mm-hmm. , I'm like, oh, I don't, he's like, you don't trust your dogs. This is not that. I won't trust my dogs. I love my dogs, but at the end of the day, like I said, they're just dogs. And so it is not worth, it's not worth it.

The stress. It's not worth the worrying. Yeah. And they were totally cool with it. But anyway, so they did great. And then we drove home, took us 10 hours to drive home. because we had to stop at Bucky's. Oh my God. Don't do that again. Which, listen. What is the deal with people love that place? I don't know.

But what is it, Bucky's? What's, it's gone. It's like a Wal Walmart gas station, like on steroids. This place is huge. It's like a mall. Is it in Georgia or something? It's in Georgia. Well, they have one in Daytona now too. Oh, do they? Is it just as big? I wonder? I don't know. I know. I've only ever been to that one.

I'll never go again. I mean, I understand. Sorry about these levers that no . I don't, I don't ever need, people love this place. It's chaos. It is complete chaos. Mm-hmm. , the parking lot is complete chaos. I don't know how many pumps of gas they have. They're like gas pumps. They, they go on for days it seems like.

Okay. And they have like a nice spot where you can walk your dog, but of course nobody picks up after themselves after their dogs. Like that's just disgusting. So you have to be careful and make sure they don't step on dog poop. Take that back home with you. Oh, in the car for 10 hours. Souvenir something.

Dog shit. Who? Farted. . Who farted. Exactly. So we pull over and you know, now when you drive with PJ, you only stop when you need gas. So like, God forbid you have to pee. Oh no. So big. I'm not traveling. Pee in AJ or? Yeah, he's, he has gotten a lot better, especially since we had kids and stuff. But I mean, we used to drive from Jersey to Florida, like hardly stopping, like, oh, wouldn't it be like now we do it two days?

Like I shouldn't have had that cup of coffee though. ? Yeah, no, he, he'll put on food. You dehydrate yourself for three days before you go. He'll put you on food restriction. Yeah, the problem is, as soon as I know I can't go to the bathroom, I have to pee. Oh yeah. Think about it's bad. So we we're like, okay, we're gonna stop at Bucky's cuz it's like two and a half hours away from where his family lives.

And then it's like another two and a half hours from Gainesville, which is was gonna be our second stop and then you go home from there. Right. So those are your two stops. So on the way to Georgia, We didn't stop at Bucky's because people had to pee prior to us getting there. It was getting dark, whatever.

So we said, you know, on the way home we'll definitely stop because we have been told what an amazing place this thing is. Okay. So we get there far total farce, Walmart on steroids. I do realize that it's probably one of the major, like traveling weekends, right? Mm-hmm. . So it's probably one of the busiest times you could go.

Sure. But, um, the boys had to go in first, cuz you remember, it's all like a logistical nightmare when you have these dogs. Cuz like me and PJ have to walk them, but the kids aren't old enough to go into, especially a place like Bucky's by themselves cuz they will be, they've never abducted. Yes. Or they would just get lost in there would, could lost him there.

And so I'm like, we had to. You know, walk the dogs first, get the dogs back in the car. Then Max and PJ went in, they had to come out and I remember this is also our like lunch break, so they have to find some sort of food. Okay. So they come out like 40 minutes later now I'm exaggerating. No, but it probably was 25 minutes later.

Yeah, probably. It takes that long to walk from one end to the other. Oh my god. It does. And so I'm calling him, I'm serious and I'm calling PJ and the phone's ringing and it's in the back of the, the, you know, he leaves his phone in the car. So I call Max his phone says, well I don't know, we're out there Mercy.

So now we're just sitting there with hot panton dogs. Cause he's got the keys. I can't even turn the car on. Oh my gosh. So anyway, long story short, he goes back, I take Gabby, he's like, well good luck with the ladies' room because the restroom, the line is literally like wrapped around the joint. I said, oh my God.

So I was telling Angela the best thing about this Bucky's situation is that they have a very strong willed. Loud woman in their restroom. That's like the attendant. And this woman directs traffic. Okay. Into the different restrooms. Okay. She'll say two over here. Three over. Here you go here. I mean, just totally directing that one.

Pinch it off folks. We got wine, . Other people pooping. Don't have time for that. That's right. No poop it in here. Liquids only. . . Exactly. I mean, you know, and I'm like, Gabby, come in with me because I don't want her, you know, going inside I'm, she may go in the stall, I never see her again. This place is huge and it's packed.

Mm-hmm. . So luckily it was a very nice restroom compared to, you know, rest stop situations that you encounter Sure. On the highway. Um, so it was a nice bathroom experience, but other than that, I could completely do without, I never have to go the one again. No. They even had a person, I guess the Bucky, the mascot is like a beaver.

Beaver, I think. Yeah. And this dude is dressed up. I'm assuming it's hat on. It could be a woman. Yeah. Like in the full like Bucky's, like character Disney outfit. Oh no. Where you could go and get your picture taken. Oh goodness. The Bucky the Beaver. And so I'm like, no, Gabby and Gabby's like, just get me outta here.

I'm like, I'm trying babe. And we just, now the best thing about this is while you're standing in line, they have a huge billboard that talks about if you come and work with them, how much money you will make. And you can just be like a store clerk, cashier, and make $16 an hour. Wow. That's their assistant managers make a hundred thousand dollars or more.

According to said billboard. Huh? I know. Be the car wash manager. You're clearing $150,000. Car wash manager. You're working around the clock. Yeah. Chris wants a job. Well it does. Sometimes you just think like, what the fuck am I doing with my life? I know be washing cars. Yes. Watching 'em go through the little tunnel.

Yeah. It does take, maybe scrub a bug off every once in a while. 50 hours a week. But who cares when you're clearing that kind of money for what you have to do for that money. But there's no stress in that. None. No. You don't take it home with you. Yeah. Also that, yeah. I mean, that's amazing. So I'm standing there and I'm thinking, this is why I can't keep staff where I work.

Mm-hmm. , because uh, yeah, that person that just made the hot dog for us is making $16 an hour. . They didn't make the hot dog. They heated it up. That's even worse. I know. . There's no skill involved in that. Oh, no. Training. We were watching the news this morning and this guy was on there and he made, this is totally not related, but it is.

It's okay cuz you said hot dogs. It's what we do. We have like a stream of content. He does squirrel. He does. Um, Beaver, your entire Thanksgiving meal is in a sausage. What? . I know. Disgusting. He was like nasty. They were just, they were gr They put it all through like the food processor, like, like the grinder attachment you can put on your, or is it segmented?

It was all like a rainbow. Everything goes through this, like the grind meat grinder on your food processor comes out into like a casing into like a thing and then they take that and shove it into casings. Oh my God. That's just disgust. So it's like Turkey and cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes and potatoes, stuffing all of it.

Why the whole thing? Oh my God. All shoved in there. I had no idea that was a thing, but they said it today on the news and I was like, holy shit. I think we need to order some of that and try it out on the podcast. Yes. . Oh my god. Alright. I'll have to look it up. I'll have to see. I'm sure they must have a link to it on the news or whatever.

Yeah, I'm sure they, that was on this morning. That's And salt Tampa channels too. So it's gotta be somewhere out there because you're taking away like what would that even taste like? vomit. It's gonna taste like vomit. Yeah. . It's even, it's, that's what happens when you vomit. It all comes up together. Uh, yeah.

I don't know, man. But I saw it. I was like, holy shit. I didn't know that was a thing. It's a thing. It's so gross. It's like undigested. And you said hot dogs, so that's what came to mind. Hot dogs. And there you have it there. Yeah. Turkey gravy, cranberry. Like proof that we can talk about anything for hours.

Yes. , mac and cheese. Ritz cracker situation. Oh my gosh. Worse than like a Willy Wonka bubblegum. At least there you could differentiate the flavors. What's one flavor? Oh yeah. No. Goes from she say, I guess this would be one flavors a steak and there's the mash potatoes. Yeah. Well, this, it does. No, this is just all one.

One. It's all, everything is the flavor. Everything all. I bet it's flavored. I'm curious. Thanksgiving dinner. I'm strangely curious. , I'm, I mean, I'm not gonna buy a shit ton of it, but I will locate it. Don't get a case for our Christmas. Get together, like one little serving and then we can, that could be funny.

Yeah. Not a case. No , no way. No. You'll be throwing that out. Or look in the, I don't even think my dogs will eat that. Oh, I bet the dogs would eat it. Oh yeah. They'd laugh that stuff up. Problem. Milo. A cranberry was telling me that he, essence of cranberry, Chris was telling fine, like he walked Milo down, down at the corner, Milo vomited and they, they kept walking.

So he come back and eat. Came back. He came back and it was gone. Something ate gross. So dogs are not picking love to do that. Cats don't do that. Cats puke and walk away and leave it for you. Yeah, they do. Dogs are like, hmm, no, they away. They try to like cover it up. It's useful.

Okay, so the worst is, all right, we're just gonna go completely off here. We may wanna edit this out, but. Nothing is worse. And, and this could probably relate with a cat too. Like you're laying in bed, it will wake you up out of a dead sleep is when you hear that retching sound. is about to throw. Oh my god.

Oh my god. What can I grab? I have nothing on the that's not on the carpet. Got tile everywhere and take that six by four square. Yeah. And then you're scoot. That's a red pound animal onto the tile. And then they won. Move. No, they don't wanna move. So then you go like this with your hands traumatized. I don't go.

No, no, no. You're a nurse. You can do that. Oh, that's a hard pass for me on that one. Mm-hmm. . Oh my Lord. Have mercy. It's disgusting. Yeah. . It's disgusting. Chris is pretty sure the people that are, there's like two houses down. Outside of the apartment complex, they the one kind of further away from us, they just got a little Yip dog of some type.

Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. and a chihuahua mix or something. And they just let it come and go from the house. Like it's not like on a leash or anything, which is kind of brave given the, I know the shot busyness of the roads and stuff. Exactly. He's like, I'm pretty sure it was that dog. The dog's like score. Yeah.

Ground score. I think he came up to his mom and was like, I'm gonna kiss you all over . Whoa. You never did that Pu breath. Oh man. Turkey dinner right here. I know exactly that's happening. Turkey sausage, Turkey dinner, sausage. You're hearing that retching noise and by the time you get to it, right. So PJ will be there, China, and I'm like, I'll go get the paper towels.

I go to paper towels, I come back and there's nothing. I'm like, well, what happened? They ate it. They the dog. They love that shit. Oh, it's disgusting. . Like, Hmm. Oh my God, you guys are making me too. It's like that commercial. I put that shit on everything. . . So gross

Oh, okay. So we had an eventful week. Yeah, yeah, we did. Yeah. Uh, so, oh, let me plug Elf at Theater Winterhaven. Oh, oh yes. Let's talk about this. You did see that. It was cute and it totally put you in the Christmas spirit. It was really, really fun. Oh, and what I loved is they had a gazillion elves and a lot of little ones.

A lot of little kids that we were seus with, but they found a way to work them in, like to the whole story. Oh, that's nice. Which was really cool. Like they would be, you know, pedestrians on the street or kids in a school. So it was really fun to see that. Oh. But yeah, I saw the cast photo for that. I was like, yeah, that is a shit ton elves.

A lot of elves. Yeah. A lot of 'em. But it was great. It was a lot of fun. Yeah. great production. Highly recommend it. Oh, I talked to Paige about that. I was like, we need to go see that. Mm-hmm. . Cause I think it's still going on for know, see that and the other one they've got going in their other theater. Um, every Christmas story I ever told.

Yes. Ben is in that. Oh, is he? Oh, Ben Santos. He's amazing. Santos . I had to say it cause we've done it a few times now. I we have, yeah. Okay, let's do it. Yeah. So, uh, it opens, I think the same, that show opens the same weekend as our Rudolph show, so, okay. All right. So we'll have to figure it out. But I don't know how many weekends it's gonna run.

Yeah, we'll have to, hopefully it runs one more weekend than we do, so we can go see it. That would be optimal. Cause we gotta have shoved in there too. Sometimes they do Thursday shows and stuff too, so little women. Mm-hmm. . We'll have to see. Maybe we can do that. I know we've got little women coming up pretty soon.

What's going on? It's a busy, it's a busy season for theater. Yeah, it's, yeah. Yeah. There's a lot going on and it's a great, even like a last minute hanging around or you got family coming into town. and it's like, what am I gonna do? You're gonna have to entertain them. A lot of times if you're like our family, it's like, oh gosh, you don't wanna sit around and say you wanna go.

Not only can I entertain them, but I can also get wine and I don't have to talk to 'em for two half hours have Yes, because it's actually rude. , it's perfect.