Pass-the-baby!

A few nights ago Tricia, Alayna, Julie and I enjoyed a lovely sunset picnic and a little game of pass-the-baby in Astoria Park!

This week I had a suprising realization...

I've decided I want to go back to school. I came to this conclusion over a few long conversations E and I had about our future. See, neither of us wants to live in this city much longer but we've chosen careers that are pretty limiting geographically. So we talk and I think, Ok- what would I do if we left NYC? Finding a full time costuming job in the New England area is hard. They get snatched up quickly and then dont open up again for thirty years. Not that I wouldn't try- but what if it just didnt happen? I cannot work retail or restaurant jobs between theater gigs as a Mom. Yes, thats another consideration. When will we be able to start a family? In our present circumstances it seems like that is light years away, yet it's something we both desperately want. I know we are still young and we do have time to figure things out but I'm a person who needs a plan. A forecast.

So, I started to think, what is the best, most favorite job I've ever had? Easy. American Girl. Why was that job so much better than any job I've had before or since? Easy. The girls. I absolutely thrived off the energy they brought to the theater. I loved being able to inspire them, encourage them, and laugh with them. Any event that meant I got to spend time with the young performers or on the floor with the young customers, I was giddy with excitement. Being around the kids is the thing I've been missing the most over the past two years.



Hence my decision to go back to school to pursue a Masters in Early Childhood Education. I've only begun the process of researching schools and programs here in NYC and weighing my options. As of now, I think I will approach the degree as a part- time student so I am still able to do costuming work.



Only a few months ago I would have never thought that I would be excited to go back to school, but now I truly am. The ideas are swirling in my head about the ways I will be able to use this degree and Im excited about what new doors is will open in our lives.

Marie's Crisis

This place is to blame for my sore throat! Marie's Crisis is the West Village/ Gay/ Dive/ Musical Theater/ Piano bar to be in on a Friday night! Some of the old AG ladies gathered there last night to celebrate Kristin's birthday. I. LOVE. THIS. PLACE. Okay, okay, so it is tiny and crowded. Alright, alright, so I may have contracted an STD from the bathroom door handle, but the SHOW TUNES! THE SHOW TUNES!

Great Day!

What a great day I've had! First of all- the Letterman show was so fun! The theater is much more intimate than I had anticipated. Renee Zellweger was the first guest and she was so nice and teeny tiny! I loved her stunning red dress!



Although- it looks very similar to this dress she wore on his show last year. Hmmm.




Then I had two girlfriends from American Girl, Tricia and Julie, over for dinner! Tricia brought a salsa dip and Julie an apple tart. I made burritos with shredded pork and it was so tasty! I just popped a pork loin in the crock-pot for 8 hrs with some chicken stock, fajita seasoning, lime and lemon juice and cracked pepper. Mmmmmmm! So good! I could eat some form of rice/ beans/ cheese every day of my life.

But the best part of this day was that it was the last one of three weeks with out my man! E returns from Cali tomorrow and I couldn't be happier!

Nachos, Musicals and Cake.

I had so much fun last night! One of the (very few) benefits of having E out of town is that I had a night on the town with the girls! Party! whooo hooo! Oh, but dont worry, we spent half of the night with musical singing queens... who gave us cake.

First, I met Madelaine and Julie (hi girls!) for din-din at Trailer Park. Yummy nachos and tater tots. Then we went to see Kidz Theater's production of Bye Bye Birdie. Kidz Theater is this childrens theater program our friend from American Girl, Kristen, started. Check out the web site. Anyways, about 12 young performers from American Girl were in this show- and it was sooo much fun to see them. They did such a great job! My face hurt from smiling so much.

Then the whole AG gang (not the young girls, just us adults) headed down to Marie's Crisis Piano Bar in the West Village. If you're a Broadway lovin, show tune singin, moderately conceited individual, then this is the place for you. We sang our little hearts out to everything from Fame to Pippin and back again. This guy from Project Runway was there too. Also, it was Marie's birthday so everyone got cake! Yippie!

And, Im pleased to report that we have officially booked our wedding photographer McDorman Photography ! So excited

Goodbye American Girl Theater New York

Ever since I was a child and my Oma Claire started my doll collection with "Samantha", American Girl has been a significant part of my life. I have come full circle now, and I rejoice knowing the impressions that the American Girl Theater left on millions of young girls hearts. The hearts of the patrons, the hearts of over 100 young girl performers, and the hearts of the entire staff were deeply affected by this wonderful Theater. This was by far the most amazing experience of my life. Unless you were a part of it, it can't really be explained, can it? I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. L.O.V.E. love.

Before...


Strike begins...



Breakdown...


After...



Closing Tech Staff...


Well, Im off to visit N.C. tomorrow, and a new chapter begins!

Well, AG Theater has officially closed. Myself and about 8 others are there "striking" until Sept 26th. It was sad, but Im glad Im a part of strike cause its kind of like closure. Kind of. It was such a magical place, and it has meant so much to everyone who's walked through the doors. I already miss the girls and everyone so much!


Closing Company of Ag Theater!


Thats 150 lights down from the grid! Phew!

Still no job, but I did finally find a posting to apply for! Cross your fingers for me!
Dado's coming to visit next week, and I cant wait to see him! After that I just look forward to coming to Winston for a week! I need some QT with mom and sis! Sept 27- Oct 4th I'll be there so mark your calenders! La Caretta will be premiere dinner of choice! Love you!

Blog number two! Yeah! So, we got back from Wildwoods, NJ this week! Eric's entire family was there, and it was so fun to see everyone! Chandra's baby, niece Kailyn, was the main stage show of the week, while our wedding and Perry/Lauren's baby- to- be were in the side rings. I got a little tan and Eric got a massive sunburn on his feet! The days went by too fast as vacations tend to do, and it was back to the grind.

I think this week at American Girl is really going to feel like the beginning of the end. Girls are going to start having their last shows and we're having a movie night with video montages that our Artistic Director has put together. Lots of tears guaranteed. I almost wish we hadnt had so much notice of our closing- its kind of been like tearing the band aide off slowly. While Im extremely sad, Im ready for it to be over already so I can move on! I still dont know whats next, but things tend to pop up at the last minute in theater. Last resort- I claim unemployment for a few weeks and jump start my ebay children's costume business.

I'll post a few of my fave pics Eric took in Japan! He had a great time and got very little sleep. Him and Dan climbed Mt. Fugi- over 12,000 feet! He brought me home a beautiful fan, too. Boy did I miss him!

Well, thats all for now! Check back soon!

-Marissa