ASM

Here is a bit of an excerpt that I wrote as part of a guest blog for my classmate's blog. Time is really pressing so I figured I would share it here as well. Sorry for the lack of posting but time has been very full and when I am not performing, doing homework or trying to make income.... I'm usually soaking in a bathtub or passed out asleep. :) God bless you all!

God has me here to restore my life and to heal me. I truly believe that the Lord brought me here to heal some festering wounds from decisions on my part and uncaring, abusive decisions that others made. I truly am so thankful to be in such a loving place to learn, pursue the gifts and talents God gave me, and to have time to heal and figure out more and more about God’s character and his devout faithfulness to this undeserving daughter of His.

Being here has been so wonderfully thrilling, daunting, exciting, and terrifying all at once. I decided at age 30 to quit my safe job and walk away to spend a year studying and performing at a theatre with 11 young adults who are a good chunk  younger than me, living in a city where I knew basically no one and would not have any income to continue providing for the things that unfortunately do not go away just because you choose to pursue honing your craft in a conservatory environment.  It has been a great exercise in learning to trust the Lord as he literally has to meet my needs financially for food, health insurance, car, housing, etc while trying to pour every ounce of heart and hard work into every opportunity I am giving. The Lord has been graciously faithful to me to meet my needs and refresh my soul with his gentle spirit.

The conservatory experience has already taught me so very much and has stretched me in such wonderful ways. From the 11 shows of week which we perform at least 9 of those and when we are off we are diving into shadowing and working with other departments, learning any and every role we can to be able to swing for (Where you are ready to cover any role if they are out or need to be shifted), reading plays for independent study, and doing all our homework for our current classes which include: Viewpoints, Improv, Speech, Sight Singing, Singing for the Stage, Discipleship, Acting, Ballet and Musical Theatre Dance. Our teachers are so kind and wonderful. They truly want to see us succeed and grow but they do it with the kindness and compassion of Jesus which is really refreshing after spending the summer studying at a secular professional musical theatre conservatory in NYC.

Rehearsal process for Jonah going into opening our show for the public was such an eye opening experience of just how wonderful of a place that Sight & Sound really is and all the work that goes on in the background from back stage, deckhands, stage managers, costumes, makeup and hair, to the hardworking sales dept, janitorial staff, etc.  It’s mind boggling to think about what all happens, how fast it happens and the beauty of the heart that it happens with all so that the patrons that fill our seats may have an experience that truly touches their soul, prompts their hearts to reach out to Christ and prayerfully will ultimately change their eternity. It’s a blessing and honor to be a part of it and more times than not I feel extremely unworthy to be here but I am so thankful that God chose for me to be here.

For me, I am enjoying it all, even in the moments where I am cranky, tired, or facing something that pushes me out of my comfort zone or may even scare me (like driving the fisherman boats!) I am so thankful to be here. Sometimes, I find myself in the middle of a show just saying “Thank you God. I am so glad I’m here” -- Usually that happens during the storm scene when I am a wave puppeteer and during the Ocean scene when the Whale rushes over the crowd and I get to hear the cheers, and “oohs & ahhs” from the house of the theatre!

Above all, my absolute joy so far this year has been being a part of ASM-- After Show Ministry. After each show, the patrons are invited to come up the front for prayer for anything they may need prayer for or to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ. So far, I have had the great privilege to pray for 4 different families and it has been truly beautiful to help carry their hearts, burdens, sorrows to the almighty King and to rush His throne room with thanksgiving and request to lay at His feet. Most days we are at the theatre for 12 hours days or more if we need to stay and rehearse then I usually leave and go home and do homework and try to do some work where ever possible to make some income. Amongst all that mixed in with exhaustion and sometimes hanger (Hungry anger! lol), It can be really easy to lose focus on what matters most and what we are here for. ASM truly keeps me in true perspective. I am so very thankful and look forward to covering many families in prayer. I pray that the Lord continues to work in all of our hearts cast, employees and patrons alike as He is faithful to complete the work that He has already begun in us! God bless!