Woah! I remember writing my "Looking back at 2009" post. I can't believe a year has gone by!
So last year I categorized the things that had happened to me into "Good Things" and "Bad Things". Everything that happened to me that year had a distinct category. This year has not been nearly as eventful, and a lot of things that happened are neither good nor bad or both good and bad. So this is just not going to work out as orderly.
Here is what happened in 2010:
Events
- I was in "Singin' in the Rain"
- I started going to a Single's Ward
- I saw "Legally Blonde"
- Perry Family Reunion
- Marriages and sealings of family members and friends
- I saw "Lion King"
- I turned 20
- I was in "A Christmas Carol"
Yes, I'm aware that most events were musical-related.
Improvements
- I attended the temple regularly
- I survived 3 sememsters of school and kept my scholarship
- My voice is improving a ton!
- Made many new friends
- Made some new and improved decisions about what I'm doing with my life
Misc.
- I've seen some friends make bad choices
- I have kept in touch/seen everyone who is important to me to some degree
- I've worked a lot
What stands out in my mind when I look back on 2010?
- Heavenly Father always provided a way for me to earn the money I needed.
- I learned so much about myself and who I want to be.
- I spent almost every night and some whole days of the year at Rodgers Memorial Theatre. Although I've been there for 9 years, I have never been in two shows in one season before. I have also never worked there for the entire year before. I pretty much lived there. 2010 will forever be "My Rodgers Year".
- I have had people question my beliefs. This has never really happened before. I have had to re-examined my testimony of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, and I find it to be more important to me than it ever has been before!
Looking Ahead to 2011
This year is going to be full of so many changes! Many of my friends are leaving on missions and some are getting married. There will be a new theatre to (hopefully) call home.
And for me personally, there will be some changes that I'm starting to get pretty excited about!
To semi-quote one of my favorite TV characters (Don't judge me):
2011 is going to be LEGEN...wait for it...DARY! LEGENDARY!!!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Last Night at Rodgers
One of the Most Amazing Weeks of My Life
PART 3
I was working the very final show at RMT. During this show, I teched for stage right. This night, in some ways, was more difficult to get through than the night before. I knew that once I left the building this night, I was never going back. That's a tough thing when you've spent about all your free time in that building for the past 9 years.
I came to work early so I could go chat with the cast for a couple minutes. They were all teary like we had been the night before. When I went to the lobby to start working, I saw that most of my cast was there to see the show. We joked that we couldn't keep away. The waiting list had about 60 people on it; everyone wanted to see the final performance on that stage. The sister of Ralph Rodgers intoduced the show. She told how she introduced the first show on that stage as well, in 1990. I was already crying by this point haha. I worked the show, and it went well, although not as seamlessly as the night before (I am not saying that because it was the other cast; the cast even admitted it).\
I finish my work when there is about 10 minutes left of the show. I clocked out, and then ran to the stage and sat down in the one empty chair left to watch the last few minutes of this performance. When I walked into the room, the most warm, amazing feeling was there. The last few minutes of the show were so wonderful, and I cried right along with the actors as they sang. Pretty much all of the audience was crying-especially my castmates. After the show there was a lot of crying and hugging and picture taking.
The show ends at 9:15 and I think we were there until 10:30. We were about to go to Chili's, when Scott told us we could come back because the box office would be working all night. Chili's was a blast!
After Chili's, Kyle, Chantryce, Annie, Mary, Jillian, Marin and I went back. We walked around and talked about how much we loved this place. Marin, Annie and Mary left. Then we each just walked around by ourselves thinking about every memory we had in each spot in the theatre. Together, we looked through each picture on the wall and identified every person we knew. It took forever, but we knew we'd probably never see those pictures again. Then we went to the green room and just talked about all of our favorite memories. Finally, at about 3, we knew it was time to go. We stood on the stage, crying, and knew we'd never walk back on that stage. It took a while for us to actually walk off the stage. It also took a while to walk out the doors of RMT, never to return.
I know that I have made this super dramatic, but this place meant the world to me. I am pretty sure I spent more of my teenage years there then at home (not counting sleeping, of course). I will eventually post all of the reasons I loved RMT.
As hard as it was to say goodbye, it was a perfect ending to that chapter of my life.
PART 3
I was working the very final show at RMT. During this show, I teched for stage right. This night, in some ways, was more difficult to get through than the night before. I knew that once I left the building this night, I was never going back. That's a tough thing when you've spent about all your free time in that building for the past 9 years.
I came to work early so I could go chat with the cast for a couple minutes. They were all teary like we had been the night before. When I went to the lobby to start working, I saw that most of my cast was there to see the show. We joked that we couldn't keep away. The waiting list had about 60 people on it; everyone wanted to see the final performance on that stage. The sister of Ralph Rodgers intoduced the show. She told how she introduced the first show on that stage as well, in 1990. I was already crying by this point haha. I worked the show, and it went well, although not as seamlessly as the night before (I am not saying that because it was the other cast; the cast even admitted it).\
I finish my work when there is about 10 minutes left of the show. I clocked out, and then ran to the stage and sat down in the one empty chair left to watch the last few minutes of this performance. When I walked into the room, the most warm, amazing feeling was there. The last few minutes of the show were so wonderful, and I cried right along with the actors as they sang. Pretty much all of the audience was crying-especially my castmates. After the show there was a lot of crying and hugging and picture taking.
The show ends at 9:15 and I think we were there until 10:30. We were about to go to Chili's, when Scott told us we could come back because the box office would be working all night. Chili's was a blast!
After Chili's, Kyle, Chantryce, Annie, Mary, Jillian, Marin and I went back. We walked around and talked about how much we loved this place. Marin, Annie and Mary left. Then we each just walked around by ourselves thinking about every memory we had in each spot in the theatre. Together, we looked through each picture on the wall and identified every person we knew. It took forever, but we knew we'd probably never see those pictures again. Then we went to the green room and just talked about all of our favorite memories. Finally, at about 3, we knew it was time to go. We stood on the stage, crying, and knew we'd never walk back on that stage. It took a while for us to actually walk off the stage. It also took a while to walk out the doors of RMT, never to return.
I know that I have made this super dramatic, but this place meant the world to me. I am pretty sure I spent more of my teenage years there then at home (not counting sleeping, of course). I will eventually post all of the reasons I loved RMT.
As hard as it was to say goodbye, it was a perfect ending to that chapter of my life.
"A Christmas Carol" Closing Night
One of the Most Amazing Weeks of My Life
PART 2
Wednesday December 22, 2010 was my final performance at Rodgers Memorial Theatre. It was one of the most emotional days of my life. All day long I was preparing myself by thinking about all of the memories I had there, and everything that theatre had done for me. I got to the show super early so I could be there alone for a while. As other people began to arrive, we actually didn't talk as much as we usually do. This was the hardest closing night we'd ever encountered. See, usually when I close a show at Rodgers, I miss it a lot, but I always think there will be another show, so it's not too bad. This time, we knew there was not another show.
At cast meeting, Michelle, as usual, asked who wanted to pray. I was about to volunteer, because I had been wanting to say this prayer all day, when Mike beat me to it. When he volunteered, I knew that he should be the one to say it because he grew up at this place. About a gazillion tears were shed during this prayer as he thanked God for the building, the memories shared there, the friendships made, and the talents developed there. It was beautiful. Our word for the night was "Ralph" (as in Ralph Rodgers, the founder).
The show itself was wonderful. We were all very focused, which is not always the case for a closing show. I enjoyed every moment I spent on stage, or waiting backstage, or changing costumes, etc. I wanted to remember everything.
Then we arrived at the last seen. Sally (me) and Fred don't come onto the stage until the very last moment of that scene, when Scrooge comes to beg for forgiveness and acceptance into this family. Dallin, who was playing my husband, and I stood backstage waiting for our entrance, and we both talked about why RMT was important to us. I will share all of my feelings for RMT in a later post. Anyway, I told myself I could not cry during my lines and singing. I cried too much on stage during the closing of Les Mis and it made my singing not as good. So we walked out on stage for the last time, and said and sang our little piece. It is such a touching moment in the show, and while I didn't cry, I was still very emotional, as was Dallin and Nick (Scrooge)and I knew the audience was touched by this moment too.
Then the cast sang our little finale, which is a happy song, and I cried a little. Then we bowed, and the applause was wonderful. Then after the bows, this show has another song. Here are the words:
Let the stars in the sky
Remind us of man's compassion
Let us love til we die
And God Bless Us everyone
In your heart there's a light
As Bright as a star in heaven
Let it shine through the night
And God Bless Us everyone
Til each child is fed
Til all men are free
Til the world becomes a family
Star by star up above
And kindness by human kindness
Light this world with your love
And God Bless Us everyone
Talk about a perfect message for the last song sung on that stage!
We all really lost it while singing that song. I mean, it's so beautiful that sometimes we'd cry just because of the song. But this night, there were tears everywhere. A lot of the audience was crying too.
After the song, The whole audience stood, and clapped for a long time. The lights were still on the stage, and so we didn't leave, we just stood there extremely humbled. And crying the whole time of course. Finally we walked off, and the show was done. Most of the other cast was in the audience watching, and they said the show was amazing.
We went to Applebee's karaoke night and had so much fun. It was a beautiful day.
Now remember, that was the closing night for our cast, the other cast closed the next day, and I was working the show. The story continues....
PART 2
Wednesday December 22, 2010 was my final performance at Rodgers Memorial Theatre. It was one of the most emotional days of my life. All day long I was preparing myself by thinking about all of the memories I had there, and everything that theatre had done for me. I got to the show super early so I could be there alone for a while. As other people began to arrive, we actually didn't talk as much as we usually do. This was the hardest closing night we'd ever encountered. See, usually when I close a show at Rodgers, I miss it a lot, but I always think there will be another show, so it's not too bad. This time, we knew there was not another show.
At cast meeting, Michelle, as usual, asked who wanted to pray. I was about to volunteer, because I had been wanting to say this prayer all day, when Mike beat me to it. When he volunteered, I knew that he should be the one to say it because he grew up at this place. About a gazillion tears were shed during this prayer as he thanked God for the building, the memories shared there, the friendships made, and the talents developed there. It was beautiful. Our word for the night was "Ralph" (as in Ralph Rodgers, the founder).
The show itself was wonderful. We were all very focused, which is not always the case for a closing show. I enjoyed every moment I spent on stage, or waiting backstage, or changing costumes, etc. I wanted to remember everything.
Then we arrived at the last seen. Sally (me) and Fred don't come onto the stage until the very last moment of that scene, when Scrooge comes to beg for forgiveness and acceptance into this family. Dallin, who was playing my husband, and I stood backstage waiting for our entrance, and we both talked about why RMT was important to us. I will share all of my feelings for RMT in a later post. Anyway, I told myself I could not cry during my lines and singing. I cried too much on stage during the closing of Les Mis and it made my singing not as good. So we walked out on stage for the last time, and said and sang our little piece. It is such a touching moment in the show, and while I didn't cry, I was still very emotional, as was Dallin and Nick (Scrooge)and I knew the audience was touched by this moment too.
Then the cast sang our little finale, which is a happy song, and I cried a little. Then we bowed, and the applause was wonderful. Then after the bows, this show has another song. Here are the words:
Let the stars in the sky
Remind us of man's compassion
Let us love til we die
And God Bless Us everyone
In your heart there's a light
As Bright as a star in heaven
Let it shine through the night
And God Bless Us everyone
Til each child is fed
Til all men are free
Til the world becomes a family
Star by star up above
And kindness by human kindness
Light this world with your love
And God Bless Us everyone
Talk about a perfect message for the last song sung on that stage!
We all really lost it while singing that song. I mean, it's so beautiful that sometimes we'd cry just because of the song. But this night, there were tears everywhere. A lot of the audience was crying too.
After the song, The whole audience stood, and clapped for a long time. The lights were still on the stage, and so we didn't leave, we just stood there extremely humbled. And crying the whole time of course. Finally we walked off, and the show was done. Most of the other cast was in the audience watching, and they said the show was amazing.
We went to Applebee's karaoke night and had so much fun. It was a beautiful day.
Now remember, that was the closing night for our cast, the other cast closed the next day, and I was working the show. The story continues....
Sunday, December 26, 2010
ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING WEEKS OF MY LIFE Part 1
This past week has been so emotional. It was chalk full of joy, and also filled with an extremely hard goodbye. I will cherish all of the memories from this week forever.
PART 1
Remember when my dearest cousin Amanda got married? Well, she and her husband Jake were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on Monday, along with their two month old daughter, Addison. Since I am not endowed I could not go to the sealing, but Amanda asked me to come and wait and go out to lunch with them after anyway. I have NEVER seen Amanda so happy or so emotional. It was one of the greatest days of my life. There were so many years that Amanda was making some pretty bad choices. Seeing the changes in her life has made me so happy.
PART 1
Remember when my dearest cousin Amanda got married? Well, she and her husband Jake were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on Monday, along with their two month old daughter, Addison. Since I am not endowed I could not go to the sealing, but Amanda asked me to come and wait and go out to lunch with them after anyway. I have NEVER seen Amanda so happy or so emotional. It was one of the greatest days of my life. There were so many years that Amanda was making some pretty bad choices. Seeing the changes in her life has made me so happy.
Friday, December 17, 2010
I Wish I Lived in 1843
Because then I could wear this dress everywhere, and I wouldn't have to give it back at the end of "A Christmas Carol"
It's shiny and swooshy and the color of my eyes! I love it so so much!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Leigh
When people look at my name for the first time, they freak out. They think it looks so complicated. When I tell them to just say Bret-Lee then they say, "Well why didn't your parents just spell it that way?" This is why:
Leigh is a British name that has been in our family for a while. It was a last name about six generations ago, and now has been a middle for some of my ancestors. When my Grandma (who we call Tutu) had her third baby she named him Bret and gave him the middle name Leigh. When Bret was nine months old, he was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disease that accompanied a kidney disease. I am not sure exactly what it was. Anyway, the point is that is was going to kill him. The doctors said he wasn't going to live to see his first birthday.
Bret actually lived to be 14. It was the longest anyone had ever lived with that disease. My mom was born when he was 8. While all of the other older kids were at school, Bret and my mom would spend a lot of time together. They were best friends. When Bret died, my mom told Tutu that she was going to name her first child Bret. But since I was a girl, I was named Bretleigh. And I love my name.
Ever since Bret died, Leigh has become an even more important name in our family. Now there is a Brandon Leigh, a Jace Leigh, and a Bretleigh. And I am pretty sure it will carry on. I am planning on giving a son the middle name Leigh, and I think other family members are too.
So that is why I'm Bretleigh, not Bretlee. I love my name, and I love what it represents. I can't wait to meet my Uncle Bret someday. I hope he will be happy with the way I lived my life and carried on his name.
Leigh is a British name that has been in our family for a while. It was a last name about six generations ago, and now has been a middle for some of my ancestors. When my Grandma (who we call Tutu) had her third baby she named him Bret and gave him the middle name Leigh. When Bret was nine months old, he was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disease that accompanied a kidney disease. I am not sure exactly what it was. Anyway, the point is that is was going to kill him. The doctors said he wasn't going to live to see his first birthday.
Bret actually lived to be 14. It was the longest anyone had ever lived with that disease. My mom was born when he was 8. While all of the other older kids were at school, Bret and my mom would spend a lot of time together. They were best friends. When Bret died, my mom told Tutu that she was going to name her first child Bret. But since I was a girl, I was named Bretleigh. And I love my name.
Ever since Bret died, Leigh has become an even more important name in our family. Now there is a Brandon Leigh, a Jace Leigh, and a Bretleigh. And I am pretty sure it will carry on. I am planning on giving a son the middle name Leigh, and I think other family members are too.
So that is why I'm Bretleigh, not Bretlee. I love my name, and I love what it represents. I can't wait to meet my Uncle Bret someday. I hope he will be happy with the way I lived my life and carried on his name.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Best Facebook Status Ever:
Nick S. is praying to the metabolism gods: "Please let me not take after the bear this wintry holiday season, cocooning myself in fat and bulky sweaters as I hide indoors from the blustery world. But, rather, let me be like the un-wed teenager who emerges from the Christian maternity home she was sent to looking shockingly thinner than before she left society's embrace. Thank you and amen."
This status is from 2 weeks ago and I still laugh about it all the time.
This status is from 2 weeks ago and I still laugh about it all the time.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Moro, lasso, al mio duolo
I just wrote an analysis of this song for my music history paper. Strangely enough, instead of hating the song because of my thorough analysis, I love it a lot more.
This song is a 16th century Italian Madrigal written by Carlo Gesualdo.
Isn't it beautiful?
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