I like boring things.: Mansfield

Showing posts with label Mansfield. Show all posts

Sunday, January 27, 2013

P.S.- I graduated.

I forgot to ever post on my blog that I graduated- this past December! I got my Bachelors in Music Education- and Vocal Performance from Mansfield University. I LOVED graduating with a few of my closest friends- Derek, Beth, and Ryan (Not to mention a bunch of other amazing people!). I was even lucky enough to have some close friends and family come watch the ceremony! One of my favorite parts was after the ceremony when a huge group of us and some of our parents went out to eat. It was the perfect reminder of all of the close friendships I have made during my time at Mansfield.

I won't get into my time at Mansfield too much- I could write a whole book on the years I spent there- my classes, teachers, friends, and other experiences. All I will say for now is that I feel extremely blessed to have had such an amazing experience in college. I learned acquired amazing amounts of knowledge from interesting courses and inspiring professors. I built close relationships with many people around me and made myself a little "Mansfield" family. I grew up so much, and learned a lot about myself, and realized I still have so much more to learn! I wouldn't change a single detail about college- every single moment of it has helped shaped me into the person I am today- which I like to think is someone good. ;) Thank you to everyone for all your help, support, and love! I could not have done it without all of you and the amazing love and support of my family!

It feels awesome to be done but a little surreal! (More on that later). If you'd like to see some pictures check out my Mom's post here. My official degree came in the mail right around Christmas! It was the perfect present!! For those wondering-- I AM using my degree currently! I have been substitute teaching in central PA. So far I really enjoy it, it's fun to teach all grades and subjects- and certainly keeps my life interesting!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Into the Woods We Go Again...

...We have to every now and then. For those of you who don't know, Into the Woods has a special meaning to me. My Freshman year of college I was given the role of Cinderella: It was not only amazing to be playing the role, but it was my first lead ever! I feel as though it was a huge turning point in my acting career and ever since the show has meant so much to me. Since then the show has come up a lot! 3 specific performances of it that are important to me are... Mansfield's production, for above reasons. My sister's first time being in the show as Little Red at FIT, with so many great people!, (I had the priveledge of seeing her again in Into the Woods as a stepsister semi-recently!-another great production). And finally the most recent production where Josh (my boyfriend) directed the show in his hometown. It was a brilliant production! I am beyond proud of all that he accomplished as musical and stage director. The costumes, sets, and music really came together and they gave a great performance!

Just for funzies I decided I wanted to share pictures from the 3 productions I just talked about... Most recent first. (I have to apologize for some of the pictures, it was incredibly hard to get a clear shot!)

The Sound of Music: Final Bow.

This past week I had the amazing opportunity to go to NYC and sing with the Mansfield University Women's Choir as the nuns chorus in the Carnegie Hall production of the Sound of Music! The trip was amazing to say the least. Not only did Carnegie pay our way, put us up in a hotel, and pay for all our meals- but the staff was amazing there! I wrote a reflection about the trip as requested by Dr. Jürgen Thym (Dr. Dettwiler's husband)! Here is the reflection below. It's a little sappy so be ready for mushiness before you read it :) Enjoy!

This semester I had the privilege of playing the role of Maria in the Sound of Music on the Mansfield stage! I was so happy and proud to play such a large role in Mansfield's production for my final year. I loved every second of the opportunity, and as we reached performance weekend I didn't want it to end. The other cast members seemed a little worn out and happy to finally be finishing the show, but during the final performance I could only think how much I was going to miss being Maria and miss being apart of this beautiful and inspiring show: But then I remembered it wasn't over for me yet. Yes, I was finished playing the role of Maria, but I was not finished with the show! I would get one more shot at being in this production as a nun with the women's chorus in Carnegie Hall! This was a sincere blessing to me and pleasure to be apart of.

As the weekend of the Carnegie performance approached I felt myself growing anxious and excited to see what it would be like. I have worked once before in the hall and was excited to go back! From the moment we stepped inside the doors of the theater I knew that this trip would be something special and meaningful to me. At our first rehearsal I was blown away with the way we sounded singing in the hall, at our second rehearsal I was blown away with the professional actors and actresses who were in the cast. One thing that really struck me was their amazing personalities. They were not only talented, but funny and kind as well. The entire cast and crew received our choir very well and treated us like professionals. The morning of the show came and I started feeling a little more sentimental. I sat on stage watching the entire show unfold before me and kept thinking back to our show at Mansfield. I thought about all the moments I had with the children, with my costar and best friend, Derek Gracey, and our fabulous directors. I felt so lucky to get to relive the show and be apart of it again.

One particular moment of the performance really struck me; The final scene in Act 1, where Maria leaves the family and goes back to the abbey because she realized she had feelings for the Captain. I watched as Maria spoke to Mother Abbess about her mixed emotions, and remembered the way I felt when I did that scene. Mother Abbess began to sing Climb Every Mountain, and my mind started racing. I thought about how beautiful the song was, and that it's messages of overcoming obstacles and following your dreams were exactly what we were doing! As a choir we had reached for our dreams and made it! I felt so overcome with emotions both reminiscent and present that my eyes started to fill with tears. I kept in the tears until I was off stage for intermission, but couldn't hold them in once I made it to the elevator. I cried because I was so happy and thankful to be apart of such a moving and inspiring production.

I enjoyed every minute of the whole weekend, and leaving NYC that day was like saying goodbye to an old friend. I might have said goodbye to the Sound of Music for now, but every tune holds a special meaning to me and will continue to sing on in my head; reminding me of the power of music and that dreams can come true if we are willing to climb the mountains in our way.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

Today was a very special occasion in the town of Mansfield:

Main Twist is Open Again!

It's now officially springtime... now all we need is for the farmers market to start up!

(May is when that begins)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Young at Heart

Today the weather was so beautiful and it felt like summer all day long. I wore a lovely sundress and sandals and decided to spend some quality time outside! I ran into my friend Jess who had just gotten her sidewalk chalk out, and decided to join her. (We had a bubble blowing party earlier...) We ended up making a huge design on the sidewalk- just for fun! (I think it's a good idea to stay young and keep a little bit of your child side alive!)

Jess and I feeling super accomplished after finishing most of this. Thanks to those who helped out for a bit it really helped!

Life is too serious, stay young at heart everyone!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Some things are meant to be

I feel ridiculously lucky to have been blessed with so many wonderful friends throughout my lifetime. I move around a lot and each time I worry about making new friends and finding a niche in my new environment. I am happy to report that thus far each place I have lived I have made friends and apart of me now calls that place home.

I wanted to write today about a very near and dear friend of mine, Sarah.

My freshman year of college I think she was my first good friend that I made. Fall semester of freshman year we used to hang out constantly and have movie nights with our other friends. We spent most of our time acting like ridiculous freshman- or having theory study parties!

In the Spring semester of Freshman year we joined SAI and went through our process together! We did both musicals together which was excellent. In into the woods we even got to be sisters! Well step-sisters.... Thinking back it's almost like the directors knew that Sydney, Sarah and I would be best friends! This semester Sarah also came down to Charleston with me for spring break!

Sophomore year was good to us, we built up a wonderful group of friends around us, and had countless fun being in another musical together, spending a second spring break together (in NYC), and becoming even better friends then before!

Junior year brought new changes and challenges in our friendship- we moved in together with two of our other good friends, Daniela and Sydney- and this really put stress on our friendships (over silly house things)...Glad to say that once our friendship survived Junior Year we basically knew we could make it through anything!

This past summer I had the privilege of going to Europe with her(and the rest of my choir).

We had such excellent times- especially celebrating her birthday in Ireland!

Senior year, has been a dream. The fall semester I got to really enjoy Sarah and my other friends. We got to do the opera together, remain in many organizations together- and spend a lot of time bonding and hanging out in the evenings- and even the first portion of this semester. (I have been so lucky).

Now she leaves for Arizona to complete her student teaching. There isn't really any way to express exactly how much I am going to miss having her around. I cannot begin to explain the fun we have had- the cry sessions- the inappropriate public discussions at our favorite coffee shop, Night & Day- and so many more special times.

Although I am amazingly sad to not have her around, I probably am more excited than she is about her trip to AZ. It has been a dream of mine to drive cross country and I am so excited she gets to do it! I know this experience will teach her about herself, teach her about the world, and just be simply amazing overall. She is eventually going to start a blog about her life in AZ, and I will link it back to my blog for anyone interested :)

Good luck to my best friend. The world is not ready for all the amazing talents and skills you have to offer it. I know that you will aspire to greatness and rise to the challenge of living on your own in AZ.

I know Arizona is a long ways away- but no amount of distance is going to break down this friendship--- some things are meant to be- I am pretty sure we were destined for each other!

Sorry you are stuck with me :)

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Sound of Music! Last Chance to watch!

Hello Readers! This is my spring break week- and I couldn't be enjoying the break more! It came at a perfect time for me! Between practicing music or cleaning I have been trying to relax a bit! I don't think one day has gone by though that I haven't missed the Sound of Music, or my kids. I ran into Gretl's Mom today and she told me she was uploading the show to Youtube for everyone's viewing pleasure. So if you couldn't make the show- or want to re-watch your favorite part check out these links!

(she cut out a few things for practicality for uploading to Youtube)

The Sound of Music

Act 1

Nun's Morning Hymn, The Sound of Music

Act 1, Scene 1-2

Maria, and My Favorite Things

Act 1, Scene 3-4

Maria Comes to the Von Trapp House

Do-Re-Mi

16 Going on 17

Lonely Goatherd

Goatherd Crossover

How Can Love Survive

Fight Scene, The Sound of Music

Act 1, Scene 9B

Getting Ready for Party, Party Scene

Act 1, Scene 10-11A

So Long Farewell

Act 1, Scene 11B

Climb Ev'ry Mountain

Act 1, Scene 12-13

Act 2

Maria Returns (Favorite Things Reprise)

Act 2, Scene 1A

No Way to Stop It

Act 2, Scene 1B

Something Good

Act 2, Scene 1C
Wedding

Act 2, Scene 2-4A

Return From the Honeymoon
Act 2, Scene 4B
Festival Concert

Act 2, Scene 5

Climb Ev'ry Mountain (reprise)

Act 2, Scene 6

Enjoy!!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Our Favorite Things!

Here is a compilation from the Who's Who series of everyone's list of their favorite things (click on their name to read their full article!) Enjoy!

My Favorite Things! (Mansfield Edition)

Maria

Strawberries, Scrapbooking, Blogging and Truffles,

Candles and Sharpies and Dresses with Ruffles,

Sunshine that warms up a cold day in spring,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Mother Abbess

Star Wars and Books, and I love Doctor Who,

John and Hank Green whom I watch on Youtube,

Super fun snow days that the winter brings,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Frau Schmidt

Dogs with blue collars named George in my backyard,
Sisters to sing with, and songs that aren’t too hard,
Mac Salad to eat when I am hungry,
These are a few of my favorite things!

When my feet hurt,

When I get sick,

When I cannot get my line,

I simply remember my favorite things,

And then it all seems sublime!

Franz

Swimming, and Sailing and being a beach bum,
Music, and Singing, and acting is so fun,
Spending all day with my friends just hanging,
These are a few of my favorite things!

Liesl

Listening to music, & singing, & baking,

Dancing, and cooking, and some crochet making,

Sunshine and flowers, and fun coloring.

These are a few of my favorite things!

Rolf

Legos and Duct Tape, and lots of fast Running,

Playing Piano, and Singing so Stunning,

Planking up on top of really high things.

These are a few of my favorite things!

When my skirt rips,

Or have chapped lips,

When a costume does not fit,

I simply remember my favorite things,

And then I think ‘I love it’.

Max

Being with my friends, too many to name,

Playing all day with my Video Game,

Candles and football and Music that rings,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Sister Sophia

First kisses, laughter, and chocolate chip cookies.

Butterflies, fresh cut grass, TOMS, and my doggie.

Movies with people, whom I love the most,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Sister Margaretta

Knitting, Crocheting, and Baking and Cooking,

Play-doh, and Col’ring, and Being Good Looking,

In Color Guard with the flags that I fling,

These are a few of my favorite things!

When I’m so late,

When I’m not great,

When the set’s not done,

I simply remember my favorite things,

And then it all seems like fun!

Sister Berthe

Singing and Sketching and Video Games,

Listening to Music and Painting the same,

Dancing all day, and the dreams that it brings,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Elsa

Knitting and Sleeping and Dreaming of Snow Days.
Bowling and Fishing and Reading by the Bay.
Col’ring princesses with glittery rings.
These are a few of my favorite things!

Captain

Music and singing, and laughing when falling

Wing night with friends, after some volley balling

Talking to friends whether it winter or spring,

These are a few of my favorite things!

Nun
Raspberries, strawberries, lots of things chocolate,

Reading, and reading, I never can stop it,

Music and movies and things on TV,

These are a few of my favorite things!

When the song’s done,

After so long,

We can’t stand another repeat