This post is long overdue, because The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie closed at the beginning of February, but I thought I'd like to share a few thoughts and reflections on my first fully staged production since moving to Minneapolis. I am so thankful to have been a part of Miss Brodie , for a number of reasons. First of all,  it was truly a pleasure to work   with such a well-established  and respected theater company. Theatre in the Round is the oldest community theater in the twin cities, and it remains a "community theater" in that everyone is a volunteer. However,  the level of professionalism I encountered there was unlike anything I've found, save perhaps for working at St. Olaf College. Every single member of the company, from cast to crew, was so dedicated to their craft.  

In addition, I was particularly struck by the talent surrounding me. Dann Peterson, our director,  truly has a gift for casting and bringing out the best in actors.  Though many of us schoolgirls didn't have names or  lines to speak of, our  commitment and  character work truly came through in every scene. I just felt  blessed to be on stage with these fabulous young women  (a shout out goes here to  Emily Rose Duea, Vivian Scheel, Lily Govrik, Elise  Sommers,  Thalia Kostman, Laini Devin, Mckinnley Aitchinson,  Tynelle  Marschal,  Molly Gearen, and Dani Pazurek) . 

I was sad to see the production end  - so much fun was had by all.    I look forward to  more opportunities to work at TRP, and  if  fate will have it, to work with some of the Brodie company again.  I also hope I get to use my Scottish dialect in the future - delivering my one scripted line, "Do you mean we will have to march -- ?" just got  me hooked on the dialect and sometimes I find myself slipping back into it at the most inopportune moments! 

"Little girls, I am in the business of  putting old heads on young shoulders, and all my pupils  are the crème de la crème." - Miss Brodie

I bought a car, packed up my stuff from my parent's house, left them in Hamilton, MT (cried a little) and moved to Minnesota, stopping to visit family on the way! Now I'm staying with a cousin in St. Paul while my apartment is being renovated. Now what? 

Well, I've got exciting news. I've been cast! The very first thing I did when I got the city (No, really, the first thing I did! ) was go to an audition. I drove in circles for a bit trying to find the Cowles Center,  finally found it and a place to park, dug my guitar out of my overstuffed car,  and went in and auditioned! It was for the workshop of a folk musical based on the story of Rip Van Winkle. The audition went well and I left feeling proud of myself for putting myself out there and keeping it together while being tired from the road. I sang and played guitar, did a cold read, laughed with the people there and just felt awesome. I think the hectic, crazy day of driving actually helped me, because I was too focused on just getting it done to worry about anything!  

They offered me the part! I'll be playing dual roles of Esther Van Winkle and a young woman named Nicky. Rehearsals will be for just a week in November before three performances on the 9th, 10th, and 11th. It will be at The Phoenix. More information to come! I'm really excited to be a part of this project - I really love the music and feel really proud and humbled to be a part of new work, and of course I'm glad to get my face out there right away. 

I've got other auditions coming up (and already did another one, which was a very different learning experience...) and I'm glad for the opportunities to act, even for a few minutes. I also move into my awesome apartment this Saturday, meet my roommate, get to see old friends, and start my job at the Episcopal Church on Monday. I'll be starting voice lessons again with Janis Hardy soon! Lots to do, lots to look forward too. I'll be trying to post some videos soon too.  Meanwhile, I've been enjoying spending time with my cousin Em and her husband and lovely kids. 

This is a great adventure!  

xo,
Siri