October is coming to a close and so much has happened this month, good and bad. Birthday week is almost over and it was fun and hectic all in one, but isn't life that way? Being 22 I am just more ready for the real world and what it has to offer and what I will bring to it. 


I was not cast in Moby Dick here at Alabama, but I think it is a blessing, because I will have some much needed focus time at the start of the year, but not too much relaxing. I have auditions all over the country for summer and year round work to jump start me into the real world. 


My great grandmother died, and she is the first close relative that I have remembered dying. Its strange, especially right before the holiday season really gets started. 


Don't take those around you for granted, because sometimes what you say is the last thing you will ever say. Take each moment for what it has to offer and give back to the world. That is what being happy is truly about. 


Live and Love, 
Reagan

So it's my birthday week this week and let me just say, birthday weeks are not always the best weeks, nor are they the most fun. Last week, my grandmother and great-grandmother went into the hospital. They are doing better, but still need those positive thoughts their way. Thursday, got pulled over. No biggie, no harm done, but still. Saturday was loads of fun with the UA vs. Tennessee game with Will and my dad in Knoxville. And yet today, I got into a wee little fender bender. Hey, there has to be a first for everything right? :) 


As for life in theatre, SETC has still not sent out results, so there is no update there. We have had the preliminary round of auditions for Flora, The Red Menace and Moby Dick here at UA, with callbacks TOMORROW! Callback list goes up tonight! :) If I am not cast, I am auditioning at Theatre Downtown in Birmingham for Titus Andronicus and Fahrenheit 451. So either way I have a lot coming up and a lot of possibilities. 


Life is good despite the "bad" that may go on from day to day. Focus on what is good and positive, and no one can get you down. 


Live and love, 
Reagan

In my time thus far in the theatre, I have learned several do's and don'ts and even some things that are just handy to remember. 

1. Always arrive at least 15 minutes before you are called. If you are "on time", you're late. 
2. Always wear closed toed shoes to rehearsals, especially blocking rehearsals in a working space. 
3. Try and find rehearsal clothing that is similar to your costume to rehearse in. 
4. PROJECT you voice! 
5. If in a thrust space, don't worry about your body playing proscenium. Even when in a proscenium, don't give every line to the audience. 
6. Play what you want as hard as you can. 
7. Give on the stage, if you do, you are bound to receive the same from your scene partner. 
8. Do what you love. 
9. Challenge yourself. 
10. Take chances, don't phone it in. If you are going to make a choice on the stage, do it 100%. 

Live and Love, 
Reagan

So after only a week or so since the closing of Enemy of the People and starting rehearsals for The Rose Tattoo and Almost, Maine I have been insanely busy getting ready for several auditions coming up in the next few days and weeks. 


SETC state screenings were this past weekend and I traveled to Montevallo to audition with a piece from Othello (I did a monologue spoken by Emilia). A week from tomorrow I have auditions for Moby Dick at Alabama and then in the upcoming weeks I will have auditions for the Senior Showcase that will be in NYC in March. November 6th are auditions in Birmingham for Titus Andronicus and Fahrenheit 451 (which I can only attend if I am not cast in Moby Dick) and then before I know it I will be attending UPTAs in Nashville along with other various auditions for grad programs and professional work. Ay ya ya! 


There is so much going on, and I am so thankful that I have the means to attend these auditions and continue to follow and pursue what I have wanted to do since I was 4 years old playing Dorothy in my living room. I wouldn't change a moment of my overly hectic life for anything, because it is what I love to do. Yes, life isn't always lovely in the theatre and yes, I get frustrated at not having time for normal things like laundry and hanging out with friends, but what is more fun than working and having a great time at the same time? It sure beats working in a cubicle for the rest of my life. :) 


Live and love (and never give up on your dreams), 
Reagan

This week at The University of Alabama, we have had several guest on campus from Cuba in various positions. One of the guests is the President of Theatre and Arts in Cuba and in more relatable terms, he is essentially the Artistic Director of ALL the theatres in Cuba. Wow! He was invited to one of the acting classes this afternoon and at the end of class time there was opportunity for questions. One question was "What is different about the youth of Cuba compared to the youth of America?" His answer was astonding to me. He stated that Cuba is a small island with limited resources and funding, so things like video games and movies are limited and the youth of Cuba is seen reading and spending more time outdoors and in literature. This was interesting to me, because many people think that a limited country like Cuba would need more money to have the amentities that a country like America has, but I think in many ways, Cuba is better off without them. Their youth is forced to read and grow their imagination rather than have the over stimulus of a movie or video game readily available.

Another question asked was, "What is more popular, a career in film or a career in theatre in Cuba?" His answer didn't surprise anyone; that a career in film is more desired, due to international renown and easier fame. But what he added to the end of his response was very touching. He said that many, after working in film and television for a while, would return to theatre to VALIDATE themselves and their work and to get back into that  "real" performance of theatre.

What we do is such a beautiful thing and witnessing someone else from another country who shares that love and passion was invigorating.

Live and love,
Reagan

Rose Tattoo's first read-through was last night and it was so much fun hearing everyone and listening to the script come alive. This will be a great cast and it is full of people I have not been able to work with in the past.

I am missing my Enemy of the People cast and thankfully some of them are in The Rose ensemble, but life does move on and the life of the theatre is always changing from role to role.

I still cant believe that I was double cast on the mainstage and that I am now starting my second show of the semester already. Almost, Maine rehearsals are beginning this Sunday with Tommy and I am super excited about that work as well.

I have so much prep work to continue and also work to get ready for graduation in May; so much is to come!

Live and love,
Reagan

With only 3 shows left of Enemy of the People, it has made me realize how quickly my senior year is flying by and how soon I will be in the real world. Enemy has been a great experience and I am so thankful for a great cast and an amazing director, Seth Panitch. 


Tomorrow evening at APO's Guerrilla Theatre, I choreographed a dance for our 2010-2011 pledge class and also my pledge class (2007-2008) in a dance to Ramalama. It is very nostalgic while fun, because it reminds me of when I was new and just a wee little freshman in college. Time really does fly. 


I am ready to begin my new journey in a new place. I have SETC screenings next weekend and if I am passed on, I will be auditioning at SETC in March. I also have an audition at UPTAs in February. So much going on! 


I mapped out the drive to Seattle yesterday and found that it is a 12 hour drive to Kansas City, MO; 11 hours to Laramie, WY; 11 hours to Boise, ID; and almost 9 hours to Seattle. A long trip, but well worth it. 


Live and love, 
Reagan

This summer I spent June to August at a summer camp in upstate New York called Timber Lake Camp teaching dance and helping with the theatre. When I was younger, I didn't go to a sleep away camp so I was in for many surprises. Although this was the toughest job I have ever had (its 24/7 for 8 weeks!) it was the most rewarding. I met so many people that showed me parts of myself that I never knew I could harness, and also got me through some really tough times as well. People like those don't come around often and in such great numbers. 


Kelsey, Kiel Eric, Sarah, Lisa and many more were always there for me, and I miss them greatly. Its a strange feeling having seen these people constantly for two months to being across the country or world from them now. You meet people for a reason and nothing is an accident. 


Life is good to me. I am blessed. 


Live and love, 
Reagan 

Currently I am in performance for An Enemy of the People by Henrick Ibsen here at The University of Alabama. It has been a great experience with a great cast and a wonderful director as well. Two shows down and five more to go. My parents will be in the audience tonight! Monday evening I begin rehearsals for The Rose Tattoo which opens November 15th. While in rehearsal for The Rose Tattoo I will also be in rehearsal for Almost, Maine, which is being produced through Alpha Psi Omega. In short, I am almost too busy for words.

Hopefully I will keep all of you up to date on my life and such, but ta-ta for now.

Live and Love,
Reagan