Last weekend, we closed Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? at the University of Memphis. I had a blast playing an adorable character named Virginia who is a sloppy, tough tomboy. That same weekend, I was cast in the ensemble of next semester's mainstage production of Chess. Not much time off in this business, and that's exactly how I like it! 

I realized it has been awhile since I've updated, and I just wanted to quickly fill you in on my theatrical happenings since February!

I finished my junior year, which culminated in a performance for my musical theatre practicum class, designed to be a capstone for juniors and seniors in the department. I then served as the first summer intern for Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga. I helped with marketing and publicity, helped organize and then participated in our first Off-the-Grid event (a wonderfully silly 24-hour-play festival), and helped with our second annual Bizarre Bazaar fundraiser. It was a great learning experience to be on the "non-performance" end of a theatre for a change. After my internship, I spent a month in Europe. I took a theatre appreciation course in London that allowed me to see 9 incredible West End shows, and then I backpacked through France, Italy, and Ireland with a dear friend. It was a summer full of new theatre experiences and new life experiences!

I am currently back in Memphis, fully immersed in the ridiculously busy fall semester of my final year of my undergraduate education. I am thrilled to be cast in the mainstage musical, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, which is a cute, charming show about Catholic schoolchildren.

Last week, I closed a production of And the World Goes 'Round at the University of Memphis. It was a wonderful experience that I am so lucky I got to partake in! And the World Goes 'Round is a musical revue featuring the music of Kander and Ebb with songs from Chicago, Cabaret, etc. I sang "Arthur in the Afternoon", "All That Jazz", and "A Quiet Thing". It was very nerve-wracking for me because it was the first time many of my classmates and professors heard me sing solo pieces, but I am very pleased with the outcome and proud of the work I did. I'm definitely going to miss this one. 

I am so thankful for director Randall Stevens, music director Josh Quinn, and choreographer Maggie Robinson for providing me with this wonderful opportunity. And so fortunate to have parents who, once again, made the six-hours-each-way trip to support me. I'm a lucky girl!

Last night was the final performance of The Threepenny Opera here at the University of Memphis. It was a joy and honor to be cast in a Mainstage show my very first semseter at this school, and I am so thankful for the chance to work with wonderful new artists and meet wonderful new people. I was even fortunate enough that many of my family members made the 6 hour drive to Memphis to see the show. I am so lucky and thankful that I get to go to school to study what I love.

After a very long week filled with the beginnings of school, settling into a new apartment, four auditions, and two callbacks, I have been cast in my first show at the University of Memphis! I am in the female ensemble of The Threepenny Opera on the Mainstage. Threepenny is a show that is near and dear to my heart, as it is the first musical I ever did at the Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga and also the first show in which I ever had a lead. I am thrilled for the chance to perform it again from a different perspective. I begin rehearsals September 17th and the show runs November 8th through 17th.

This Saturday, I am moving to Memphis to finish my BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Memphis. I am so excited to further my craft and to learn from new minds, and I am ready to explore a new city and immerse myself in a new theatre community. I know that this change will bring exciting new opportunities, but I will so greatly miss the wonderful theatre that I am accustomed to seeing regularly here in Chattanooga and the fantastic friends I have made along the way. You can, however, be absolutely certain I will be back frequently to see all of your shows and performances. I wouldn't miss them!

Today was the final performance of "Anything Goes" at the CTC, under the direction of George Quick with choreography by Lindsay Fussell. What a wonderful experience it was! I played Charity, one of Reno's Angels, and I was thrilled to get to be in a show which utilized my tap skills. Tap dancing is one of my favourite aspects of musical theatre, and so few musicals really showcase tap dancers.