So...

So far, the 2013-2014 school year has been going great.  First there was this:
Stage Directions Magazine (a magazine every middle and high school theatre dept. in the nation receive) named the Riverton High School Theatre Dept. one of the top five drama departments in the nation.  Here's the funny thing-  we don't really do a lot different then any other high school drama dept. in this state, but we are the first from Utah to be recognized by this magazine.
 Just to clarify (out of an hour long phone interview with the magazine publisher), I never said that I got to build the program from scratch-- I was at the school in 1999 because I student taught for the infamous (she knows why... the Eaton's and Moss family have secrets that extend far, far back.  Bradley and Jackie's double date?  There's a juicy story) and justly renowned Shawnda Moss.  I told the interviewer that I built up the MDT class from scratch... but whatever (know that I give full credit to Riverton's success to the fact that since 2000, there have always been 2 teachers here-  Shawnda, Bradley and Erin who I all love and respect) and I know for a fact that Utah has some of the best high school theatre teachers in the state- not just at Riverton.  Riverton started with a strong program and my goal is to not mess it up.  Whenever I attend the Broadway Teacher's Conference in NYC, I meet theatre teachers from all over the world- and we really do have some of the best in ALL AREAS of theatre here in Utah.
Then, in December, I was nominated by my administration (and won) the Utah High School Activities Theatre Teacher of the Year for the state of Utah.  This award is not given every year so yesterday (Jan. 15th) Jackie and I went to a country club, had a nice lunch, I got a nice plaque (too bad no $$) and, the biggest deal of all, Jackie actually ate carbs at the lunch- that's how special that afternoon was!  I then proceeded to drive back to the high school like a bat out of hell so that my Film 1 class could understand what is going on for their final project.
Then, I got called by KSL and this happened (not sure about all those quotes-  Millie and Ellis were screaming in the bathtub while I was being interviewed on the phone).
Now, because of both of these awards, our drama department is being considered by the Educational Theatre Association for a national Outstanding School Award because we are a Thespian school.
So, everyone that wrote letters of recommendation, thank you- and thank you RHS students, faculty, administration and especially Ms. Erin McGuire for everything you do for RHS Theatre!

10 Years

Back in 2004, I started the Music, Dance, Theatre class at Riverton High School.  We did our first Broadway revue in January of 2005.  Our Broadway revue this year is Friday, Jan. 10th and Monday, Jan. 13th- and it's number 10.
We are doing 25 awesome songs in our revue-- and as I was thinking about it, over the past 10 years, we have performed over 250 different Broadway songs from different shows- with only 2 songs that have been repeated.
Every revue has been accompanied by my good friend (and crazy talented musician and performer) Kelly DeHaan.  Every revue has also had a contemporary dance number choreographed by Kori Wakamatsu (google her Youtube video of a Weepies animated dance that she choreographed- with two of my MDT alumni).
This year, I've invited MDT alumni to come back to the revue for free and perform a number at the end.  It's going to be a fun time- so come on out and join us at Riverton High this Friday and Monday night.

2013

In keeping with the not being super consistent with the whole blogging thing,  here is a list of things I did not accomplish (or even try for that matter) in 2013.
1.  From the look of it on Facebook,  I am the only person that did not go to Disneyland or World in 2013.  Now, I went in 2012, 2011 and 2010 (and maybe 2009... but I can't remember)... but not in 2013. 
2.  Get Lasik.  I am not a candidate.  This is from 3 different providers.  Even Hoopes in Utah who says that they can do it on everyone... can't do it on me.  I'm a candidate for contact implants but I know that Jackie will be able to feel the differences on my corneas-- even though they swear they will feel totally natural...
3.  Eat kale.  I know, I know... everyone's doing it... but me.
4.  See Kinky Boots.  I blame Jackie for this.  Everyone that stood next to her at the lottery in New York City got a $30 ticket... except me.  And her.
5.  Read 30 Shades of Grey.  I know this is totally 2012, but that's how behind I am on cool things.  I won a free book over the summer at our local library and nothing looked good- but they had the 3rd book in the Shade series.  I held it up and announced loudly to Jackie if I should get it.  She looked mortified and left me alone.  I briefly skimmed it but I think I think its a series that really deserves being read in chronological order.
6.  Tweet, instagram or start a podcast.  I like reading other peoples (except on my reality tv shows--stop doing it Bravo on Top Chef) but I think my old fashioned 1980's style cell phone would explode.
7.  Play the banjo, harpsichord or accordion.  Don't judge.
8.  Have an unpaid internship.  In my magazines and blogs, people were talking about rising up against their unpaid internships.  If anyone enjoys doing difficult, time consuming jobs for free, come and be a high school drama teacher.
9.  Fix our rusting basement window well.  One needs to have goals for 2014.  Plus we DID finish our basement bathroom.
10.  Learn to surf, can peaches, plant boysenberries, go see Eric Samuelsen's new play in Salt Lake, eat fondue, and many other things.  Good riddance 2013!!