NYC 2014 Day #1

This post really has to be about a day and a half-- because our NYC Trip began with Jackie and I at the SLC airport checking in on 78 excited people loading up for the Big Apple.  There were no issues with missing id's, being held at security (this was different on the way home), and with the exception of our plane taking off a little late, it was pretty uneventful (thanks to the combination of Mr. Melatonin and Ms. Zyquil to knock you out on a red eye...)
So, 78 of us arrived at JFK bright eyed and bushy tailed at 5:30am.  Our travel agent was there to meet us and we loaded up between 2 tour busses and headed into the city.
We arrived at the Hampton Inn Times Square North around 8am, ate breakfast, met up with our other group members (2 were from Finland) and we split up into 4 groups to hit the city (the Hampton Inn did not want us camped out in their lobby for 6 hours until our rooms were ready).  Kelly DeHaan and I took Group #1 off to the Times Square Visitors Center where we went on a guided audio tour of the theatre district called WALKIN BROADWAY.  It hadn't gotten crazy hot yet and it was a good way to introduce students to the theatre district.  We showed them TKTS and walked by OF MICE AND MEN where people were already lining up for Rush Tickets. 
Now, while we were doing this tour, Jackie and Kelly Riding took a group out to the Brooklyn Bridge-- where people started dropping like flies.  Brent and Amanda Cox also took a group out there-- and, even though chaos ensued, everyone made it to Grand Central Station (although Jackie's group didn't eat until after their WALKIN BROADWAY tour-- which made their tour not so fun...).
After my group toured, we hit the Brooklyn Bridge (where it was very hot) and I assigned different students to be navigators- and took everyone for their first subway ride.  Our group has unlimited subway passes so we want them comfortable with the system.
After the bridge, it was time for lunch-- we hit the Grand Central Station food court and then we walked along 42nd St. to see the NYC Public Library.  At this point, it was hot.  Really hot.  And humid.  And we had gotten off a red eye-- so some participants were delirious/hallucinating (I, for instance, thought for a second that 4 people were running up and down the stairs of the Public Library and doing pushups-- in 90 degree heat with high humidity-- and it turns out I was correct). 
After the library, it was on the subway back up tot he hotel-- where, miracle of miracles- a lot of our rooms were ready.
As Jackie's group and the Coxes group came tumbling in, we were able to right up to the rooms-- except for me and a few stalwarts who were off to TKTS to get matinee tickets for the next day (Kinky Boots was the purchase for me, Jackie and Kelly DeHaan).
After that, it was back to the hotel for a quick shower, and then off to take the group for their first Broadway show: Matilda.
Even though Jackie and I saw it last year, I love this show!  Although the understudy was on for Miss honey, Christopher Siebert was a fantastic Trunchbull and the kids in the show are so amazing-- the technical aspects are fantastic- and everyone loved the show.
After Matilda, it was off to Eatery (another NYC tradition) where we had hilarious conversations about  Transformers and Kelly DeHaan sang songs from Puberty the musical (followed by a donut ice cream sandwich).
Room checks were done at midnight and I tucked myself into bed--when Jackie, Kelly Riding and Kelly DeHaan all had a second wind around 1am and began singing... good times!!
Day 1 down-- and no chafing.

Farewell Class of 2014

Tomorrow ends my 14th year of teaching- all at Riverton High.  It doesn't feel like it's over until our trip of 90(!) all arrive back home from NYC on June 23rd... but here's a look back a highlights from this school year:

• Our awesome Shakespeare Dance Ensemble (choreographed by RHS talented alumni, Fiona Nelson), Shakespeare Acting Ensemble, Dance Duo (choreographed by Kori Wakamatsu), and 3 1st places in the Tech Olympics (Yay Mitch, Spencer and Jeremiah).  Also, a highlight of the entire year for many, many students: Peter and the Starcatchers at Utah Shakespeare.  It was like a rock concert.  
• It wasn't school related... but seeing Audra McDonald live and in concert for my birthday at BYU... front row...
• All of the PTC shows we saw this year: Something's Afoot, Other Desert Cities, Elf, A Few Good Men, Much Ado about Nothing (the unicorn headpiece!), Deathtrap, and Sweet Charity.  A great mix of shows and saved many a students patootie by giving them a show to critique.
• Our awesome Improv Team and their show for 200 people-- emceed by the always talented Eric Jensen.
• The fantastic cast, crew (Daniel Whiting!! Mary and Melanie-- Doug Carter for the posters and photos!), orchestra, faculty (Camille Hicks and her mad sewing skills!) and staff that helped with our production of Hello Dolly.  Thank you Michael Milkanin for giving me the idea of putting our Uncle Sam's on huge stilts.  Thank you bubble machines for popping all over the seats in the auditorium and making them super sticky.
• Thank you guest choreographers for MDT: Melanie Cartwright, Jim Christian, Michael Milkanin, Fiona Nelson, Brock Dalgleish, Kori Wakamatsu, and Elizabeth Hansen for all of your awesome work.  My students have no idea how lucky they are to work with all of you.
• A HUGE thank you to Kelly DeHaan.  He's played for all 10 of my MDT revues.  He even performed his solo without any fun, last minute transpositions-- again, so happy to have my students work with you.  See you in NYC...
• Seeing fun Broadway tours at the Capitol and Kingsbury like: Bring it On, Blue Man Group, Warhorse and the upcoming Wicked.  
• Going to UTA and seeing great shows at Weber like Bonneville's Oklahoma and The Plain Princess (with RHS Alumni Bailee DeYoung!) at Weber State.  (Plus, my tech student Spencer Bauman getting a $500 check for his tech display).
• Our beautiful set and technical design for The Diary of Anne Frank.  Awesome work everyone.
• Our 10 year MDT Anniversary Revue.  So many great songs (Gershwin Trio, Daryll is a Boy, Kelly's One Last Prayer with Kori's dancers, Like Breathing and Seasons of Love with 10 years of alumni).
• Getting to direct one of my favorite plays of all time for a 2nd time-- Wanda's Visit with a superb cast (2nd region, 2nd in state with 2 acting awards!!)-- Hosting State Plays and being Region Rep for the best Region (no joke) in the state.  Watching Jim Smith drop food in his library at Lone Peak (where we weren't supposed to have food...)  Jim, Neal, Erin, Mindy, Stewart, Amy, Kaycee-- I love all of you. 
• Getting to direct one of my favorite musicals, My Favorite Year with MDT- such a great show- such a great cast.  Such a tired piano player.
• Finally, I guess this is the year of awards: One of Stage Directions magazines Top 5 Theatre programs in the United States, my Theatre Teacher of the Year (State) which then turned in to Theatre Teacher (National), National Thespian Society Top School of 2014, and UACTT Teacher of the Year.
• Finally-- Jackie being the perpetual chaperone and Millie and Ellis learning about Anne Frank at ages 6 and 8.  Thank you for running concessions, tickets, chaperoning (90 people in NYC Jackie!  90 people getting on and off the subway at the same time!  Is your heart racing yet?)  Here's to 2014-2015!