Just a quick update while I have the time to hit the computers for some inter webs time. Directing Into The Woods with an all children cast is one of the more difficult undertakings I have for the summer. The music, character interaction, and ensemble nature of the show is challenging for both the campers and myself, but I have faith that it will all turn out great and that next week's show for the camp will be an amazing one! 

Also, word of the summer: OUTRAGEOUS. I challenge those that read this entry to try and work it into as many conversations as possible! :) It will surely make you laugh, it made me laugh. I have made some great friends already, but this summer is definitely different than those of the past. I am not sure if it because I missed last summer and I am longing for the nostalgic memories of summers past, or if it is due to the luxury I have of having my own room this summer. I am grateful for the large bed and privacy, but I won't lie, I miss having a bunk "family" to go home to every night after my directing and choreographing is over. Le sigh...

The Staff Talent Show is quickly approaching and it looks like I will be in two acts. One with all the Girl's HCs and Head Staff and another with the two dance specialists. I have already begun work on both and with that and Into The Woods both next weekend, it is safe to say my summer is relatively busy thus far. It's outrageous! (See what I did there!?!?) 

Where ever you are, remember to live and love. 

Reagan 

That's right! I will be at Timber Lake Camp this summer and there is no better feeling than having mail on your bed at night! If you feel inclined to write me this summer or send some love in the form of a gift package, you can find my address in the picture or below!

This summer at TLC I will be directing Into The Woods for Lower Camp and High School Musical for Upper Camp. I am trying to get something in the works for the counselors too, so stay tuned!

I am greatly appreciative of this experience and a chance to reconnect with some old friends, make new ones, and spend the summer with my baby sister! :)

I will be sure to update more often when I am at camp, because as "Camp Time" goes, a DAY feels like a WEEK. :)

The address to write is:

240 Timber Lake Road
Shandaken, NY 12480

And NYC friends, get ready because I WILL be spending at least a few nights in The City! :) I'm ready for a good Roll Tide New York time!

Live and Love,
Reagan

With so much going on, I realized that it has been a while since I have updated the interwebs on what I have been up to! Well to say the least, I have been busy! I now currently work as a part-time nanny for three families in the Seattle, making it a FULL TIME job! I have two 9 year olds, a 6 year old, a 2 year old, and a 9 month old! Sheesh, Happy Nanny Day to me on Mother's Day! I should be considered an "honorary mother" today! :)

Other than that, I am still doing a few birthday parties when I can and rehearsing two one-acts and solving cases (or obstructing justice) in Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre shows in Seattle! We have just finished our opening weekend of our "Totally 80s" themed show. I am always proud when numerous tables strongly believe that I am the culprit and murderer in the show. Means I have done my job well!

The other shows I have coming up are two original one-acts and the two could not be more different in content and theme. Both are to be performed at Eclectic Theater in Capitol Hill in early June. Today, we filmed a promo video for The A/V Club and it is in this entry below! Check out Brown Paper Tickets for more information! The show is only for two nights and the space is small, so reserve those tickets today!

Hope to be able to update more often as summer approaches, but staying busy is always a good thing as well! Enjoy the video!

Live and Love.

Reagan

Pride. A difficult emotion and concept to keep in check and balance. Too much makes one a conceited and apathetic person, but too little will leave one with little self confidence and feeling of self-worth. I have been battling this balance lately. I want so many things in my life; creatively, personally, and publicly, and at times I find myself doing more for what others expect of me, rather than what is best for ME.

This week has taught me something. Those that care and want to be involved in your life will make an effort, and those who don't, won't. Simple as that. It is indeed time for spring cleaning, and I am starting by cleaning up the way I let others treat me. I am looking out for myself, my interests, and my feelings. I will help others, I will be a good Christian, and I will love those around me. But I will no longer allow myself to become injured by negligent and impersonal "friends." This is not who I want to be. I want to be strong and proud.

I want to find balance. I will balance.

Live and love,
Reagan

"Cedar and The Redwoods" closed a great run last night and like every show, it was a bittersweet closing. This show was special. It helped heal so many wounds for so many people, myself included. As we were striking the set and waiting on the truck for load out, a few of us were reflecting on the journey from auditions to performance. This audition was the first I had back from Christmas in Alabama, after the news of a dear friend losing his battle with cancer. Matthew was with me at auditions that day. Matthew was with me during the rehearsals process. And more than ever before, Matthew was with me on this final weekend, these last two performances. I am proud of myself, and I know that Matthew would have been proud of the work that was done on that stage by all involved. Life throws you curves, and its not always easy or pretty, but don't forget that life is funny even at the hard times. Another great lesson learned in this show, is DRAMA IS FUNNY TOO! The best shows were the shows the audience wasn't afraid to laugh and enjoy the lighter moments. Getting too caught up in the drama and sadness makes for an extremely bitter and unhappy person. And as I write that, I think of Matthew once again. His laughter, his smile, and his passion. He's never really gone, no one is ever really gone. We keep them alive. They live on with us. We create, we love, and we live. 

Live and love, 

Reagan

Well I have become a bit of a creature of habit lately. I come home and do the same routine every night. But today is a wee bit different. Tonight was opening night for Cedar and The Redwoods and it was great having a live audience there to witness the magic and emotion and the wonder of live original theatre. I am truly blessed to be a part of this production and I want to dedicate every part of this production to Matthew. I auditioned for him. I auditioned with him. He is with me every night. And I think about him every moment in this show. He is a light guiding my performance. He lives on, even if not on Earth. His legacy continues. I miss you Matthew.

Along with Cedar opening, I have also been busy elsewhere! I have been cast in two original works for the first two weekends of June (DOUBLE CAST.........WOOT WOOT!) and I am excited about both! More details to follow!

Stay tuned for more updates and reviews of Cedar to come; I was told there were 6, count 'em, SIX reviewers there tonight for opening. SHEESH! But I am excited that word will get out about the shows and the brilliance of these artists.

I am exhausted and I am looking forward to my warm bed. Until the next update, remember to simply....

Live and Love,
Reagan

We live in the information generation. We live in the technology generation. We live in the "VIRAL TRENDS" generation. So let us take a moment and think of some recent trends that have gotten a bit out of control.

    -"Selfies" on smart phones and laptops
    -Cat vidoes
    -Baby Videos
    -Mustaches...seriously, what is up with that? :)
    -(and most recently) THE HARLEM SHAKE VIDEOS!

Now since everyone is doing their parody of the Harlem Shake and putting them up on Youtube, one of my castmates decided it would be hilarious and appropriate to do our own video and use it as a promo! We filmed it last night after rehearsal and I have to say, it is pretty funny! It would make me want to see the show! :)

Check it out below! And be sure to buy tickets to see Copious Love's production of Cedar and the Redwoods!

And on a different note, but still related, I am so unbelievably amazed at how much God has blessed me with recently and throughout my entire life. He really is great and I know that I am doing what he built me to do. :) Life is good!

Live and love,
Reagan

Just a few minutes this morning to update cyber space about what I am doing and how life is here in the Pacific Northwest!

I am BUSY, to say the least! Working as a nanny before and after school for three kids, working a great play in between and babysitting on the weekends, all while balancing with sketch comedy rehearsals and a new original work, Cedar and the Redwoods, I was just cast in! Sheesh! :)

It is wonderful to be doing great work, exploring the text and myself and finding character choices that are not always easy. I also am loving the feeling I am having of feeling like I belong and I am wanted. I have had call after call from moms and dads, wanting ME to babysit for them, not even having met me, but heard good things about me! The feeling that out of all the talented people at callbacks, I am the one that was cast in the role of Cedar. The assurance I feel knowing I am doing what I love and that others love me doing it.

So often, we as workaholic Americans (I included), get the idea in our heads, that we have to work our tails off at a job we aren't passionate about because it pays the bills and is "safe." Life isn't always about being safe. What comes from working away half your life doing something dispassionately? (Is that a word??? It is now!!!) So much time is wasted, so much energy is wasted. Don't waste yourself. Don't waste your passion.

Go out there, show the world what YOU can do, and do it well! Passion is what makes the world go round. What's yours?

Live and love,
Reagan

Today was a sad day. Today the world lost a great soul. Today the world is a less silly place. Today we all lost a true artist. Today I lost a friend and mentor. Today, Matthew Burkholder, actor/director/teacher/friend, lost his battle with cancer and has made is way home to Heaven.

I have many memories with Matthew that bring a smile to my face even as tears stream down my cheeks at our loss. He was a talented director, but more than that, he was a true inspiration. He pushed those he worked with to their best work and beyond, to find their passions and cultivate them. Even in death, he will continue to inspire me with his words of wisdom and encouragement. He may no longer be with us, but his memory and legacy will live on. I was blessed to know Matthew and learn from him. My only hope is that I was able to teach and help him as much as he did for me.

The photo above is the VERY first photo I took with my MacBook computer the first day I took it to RoJo. Matthew made me smile and I asked him to pose for a photo even with my sweaty, post dance class glamour look! I am so glad I did.

This photo is one of my favorite photos I took of Matthew. He was always in a silly mood, and even in his serious directing moments, he still found the humor and silliness in life. I know he is now in Heaven, being his silly self and I am looking forward to seeing his smiling face once again someday.

You never really think about not seeing someone again. Just the other day, I was commenting on Matthew's facebook photos about how I missed him and his talented direction and how I was looking forward to working with him again in the future, whenever that would be. Now, I will not have another chance, but I count my blessings of all the wonderful times I have worked with Matthew. I was his ASM for "Thoroughly Modern Millie." I was the ASM for "Medea" and Matthew was the Puppeteer Choreographer. I was his ASM for his direction of "The Violet Hour." And I was honored to have called Matthew a friend.

My favorite memory of Matthew is from the Disney Guerrilla and is characterized by the photo to the left. I was dressed as Snow White and Matthew was clad in camo and dubbed himself "The Woods" from Winnie the Pooh, I believe. Well, I went on to say that I needed some scary woods to run away from (since I was Snow White of course!) and then this picture took place. He said, "SCARY WOODS! BOO!" and I screamed and ran away. Of course, we continued this for the rest of the night and well into the semester and it was still a running joke between the two of us.

No matter who you are, or what you do, be sure to care for those around you. Stay in touch with friends and support one another. Life is short and everyone could use an encouraging words and a bit of inspiration.

I know that Matthew is looking down on me now and I will continue to pray for all of his family and friends as we grieve this great loss of a friend and artist.

Remember friends to live and love,

Reagan

'Tis the Season to....

Live.
Love.
Thank.
Give.
Laugh.
Be.
Enjoy.
Hope.
See.
Do.

I love Christmas time. I love the real reason for the season. And I love that I will be with my supportive family next Friday. I could not embrace this any more in any way. :)

Live and Love.

Reagan