Another tech week

Here we are in the most stressful part of the rehearsal process: The first Monday of tech week. 

I am so excited about this production.  There are so many awesome things going for us here.  The set is really unique and compliments the story so well.  At times I feel like I am actually in a webpage.  We had a snafu with an exit that has challenged the production more than maybe I would like, but I know it will come together before we open.

This ensemble is really entertaining to watch.  They all have such different personalities, and my favorite moments are the ones in which I see them actually having fun with each other within the choreography.  I love what they have added to my story.

Today I met with Alice, a PR representative for the hospital where I get my infusions.  She was so wonderful.  She asked if I could do an interview with her in exchange for the medical props she was giving me.  Are you kidding?  Of course!!  It's times like that when I really take stock of all of the opportunities that have come out of having my disease, and that still continue to present themselves to me.  The fact that I am in Chicago working with amazing artists on an original piece came out of aHUS.  I have met so many new people and made friends out of them due to aHUS.  I have reconnected with tons of people from my past because of aHUS.  I get to apologize for hurting people and rekindle old friendships.   

What an amazing consolation prize for being sick.  I am so lucky.  I can't imagine how my life would have been without aHUS.  How ordinary would I feel?  How unappreciative of my life would I be?  I'm so glad I have been given this chance to really live the kind of life I always wanted.  Maybe I am feeling a little sentimental, but I'm so happy to be alive.  I will try my hardest never to squander any opportunity I get.

I feel lucky.
I feel humbled.
I feel love.
I feel Chicago.
I feel life.
I feel grateful.  I feel grateful.  Grateful grateful grateful grateful grateful....

New Pinups! A year and a half out of transplant

Photos by Adele Wolf Photography

I love it here

So I have been in Chicago for about a month now.  I have learned a lot of things about being here in that time.  But one of my favorite things about this place is that I finally, finally am not worried about the things I say or do being misinterpreted in any way.  I can make jokes with people in rehearsal, I wear what I want, I can be myself everywhere I go, and I can enjoy myself without the the threat of losing career opportunities.  People really don't seem to care as much about any of that here.  I knew I felt oppressed in Oklahoma, but I had no idea the extent of that feeling until I came here.

Maybe it's just that it's a bigger city and people don't have time to care about those things.  Maybe it's just that I'm nowhere near academia. Maybe the more liberal atmosphere has something to do with it, but I'm totally into it.  I mean, didn't we all get into theatre for the community?  What is it if you don't have communal support?  It's...not really fun or even worth it.  I guess I didn't realize how bad things had gotten. 

So I feel liberated here.  I feel accepted.  I feel beautiful.  I feel appreciated!  I feel appreciated!!  Appreciated appreciated appreciated!! I can't remember the last time I said that! 

Thank you Universe!  More please!

Two weeks down!

The ensemble pieces are choreographed!  I only have two numbers with She and He to block and we will be able to go back and start fine tuning.

The cast is really fun and extremely talented, and I am so happy to get to work with them.  This version of the show is very different than the last one, and I am really excited about that.  I wasn't sure how different it would be, but once we started and the cast began to feel comfortable contributing it started taking off.

Matthew is coming to visit next weekend for my birthday and I can't wait to see him!  I miss him so much.