Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Cold places

this week I have been to South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, and am now in New London Conneticut. Things have been going well, just not lots of time to write because doing a lot of traveling on the bus and doing the show.

In Missouri I met up Charlie, whose like my second brother, when he came to the show. He got mad at me because I thought I was in Minnesota. There are two many M states and we are traveling through them too close together.

Traveled into the city to see my mom the other night before New London. I had a great time just chilling in the city, but it really made me thankful of being on tour and reminiscent of a few months ago when I wanted to book a tour more than anything in the world. I am very lucky, and I can't lose site of that.

Tonight Bobby is here, and tomorrow Dominique and her mom are coming....then its making our way back to the MidWest!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXXOXOXOXXO
Haley
PS Pictures to come.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

My Daily Schedule-for the non-theatre folks who were wondering

A Day in the Life of Tour (One Nighter Days)
1. Fall asleep the night before at around 2:30
2. Set the alarm for around 4:45 for 5:30 departure
3. Hit snooze between three and four times
4. Put on glasses so you don’t trip over yourself
5. Finish packing
6. Find a granola bar somewhere around the hotel so you’re not tempted to eat McDonald’s when they stop
7. Roll luggage outside of room and to bus
8. Fight for first swing seat on the right side closest to the front
9. Run back inside because you’ve forgotten your cell phone, your ipod, or your computer charge
10. Fall asleep between the rows on the floor with Ipod on listening to Ben Folds “The Luckiest” and “Still Fighting It” on repeat
11. Dream of people on the bus doing bus-like things whilst aware that you are on a bus yet dreaming and sleeping
12. Wake up because your right side has fallen asleep
13. Roll over on left side until left side falls asleep
14. Get up and trudge off the bus, slide ball with your name on it so they know you are off the bus, and go into some random gas station in the middle of cornfields or desert
15. Go back to sleep
16. Get there around 2 or 3, eat something
17. muster up the energy to work out for at least 30 minutes cardio
18. warm up voice in shower
19. bus to theatre
20. Find dressing room, explore new theatre space, plug in curlers
21. Head to Green Room for Cast Meeting: we talk about if anyone has called out, what the attendance is, the specifics of the venue, where the water bubblers are, etc.
22. Head to stage for mike check in new space: sing through a few numbers
23. Grab something light to hold us over until the show
24. Get back-do hair and makeup, preferably before half hour call
25. Realize it’s 15 minutes till the show and you’re still not done yet
26. Get into costume, rush upstairs, stretch and listen to ipod and focus until show time
27. do show
28. get dressed, get on bus back to hotel
29. grab a glass of wine and something light
30. wind down until 2:30 AM
31.begin schedule all over again

It's a crazy life, but I adore it!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I'm a grownup

There are various point as I get older in age that I have a dawning realization that I am a real grownup. I know that sounds ridiculuos, as I have always been incredibly independent, heck, I've been away from home since I was 14. But today I willingly went and got a tetanus shot on my own in a strange city without anyone having to make me. I hate shots, I hate doctor's offices, I used to lock myself in the bathroom until I was like 18 so they wouldn't make me take shots. But I cut my leg on the set the other night, no big deal-very minor, but I have not had a tetanus shot since 1997 and the set is metal, so I thought it couldn't hurt after I googled the symptoms. I arrived in Wichita, googled a medical clinic, took a cab there, and sat through the shot without flinching---although I did make the nurse warn me before she did it.

I can't believe I actually just did that willingly.
That is all I have seen and will see of Wichita probably, other than the haunted hotel I am staying at, which is exciting in itself.
Love
H

Monday, January 19, 2009

San Antonio pictures and post (below)

an Alamo ghost? look at the second column on the left towards the center at what looks clearly like a face.....looks more detailed on my camera..freaky





the Alamo walkway where I took the ghost photo


RIP Davy Crockett


the main building left at the Alamo

our theatre- the Majestic
After shows come through, they paint on the walls downstairs and sign them-so now there are hundreds of shows (ours included) that adorn the walls. SO COOL!


a gorgeous cathedral we stumbled upon the first day

the riverwalk











I WANT TO LIVE HERE. It’s amazing-I can’t even describe it.

Historical, amazingly historical, for one, which alone is enough for a city to captivate me. We visited the Alamo the first day, and it was just such an overwhelmingly powerful experience. Such an integral part of our history, saturated with valor and tragedy, yet what people don’t realize is how tiny the remaining buildings still are. You imagine it’s going to be huge, and the main building is barely two stories. Much of where the Alamo fighting took place was out further where the streets are now, as Santa Anna’s forces tried to break through the walls (which of course were destroyed in the battle). The museum inside had Davy Crockett’s original jacket, as well as other artifacts belonging to him, David Bowe, and others.

Later that night I talked to a guard who very reluctantly told me some creepy ghost encounters he’s had with the Alamo. He says everyone who works there has experiences all of the time, that it is one of the most haunted places in America. In one of the corners where a bunch of Santa Anna’s forces were killed, several guards when alone have felt someone place their hands on their shoulders, their arms, or their backs. They turn around, thinking it is another guard, and no one is there. So, going back through my photos, I think I saw a translucent face of a Mexican soldier? Peeping out from a column somewhere along the way. I put it here for you to see it. Creepy.

Besides the history, San Antonio has a river running through it, with wonderful restaurants and bars along the way. We found some amazing, real Mexican places along the walk, as well as the standard Hard Rock Café, etc.

The shows were indescribable to me because the crowd was just so supportive. Active, loud, cheering, not an empty seat in site, AMAZING. Night after night, matinee after matinee. The theatre was beautiful also, it had a night sky built into the ceiling, and seated over 2000 people.

Downstairs, in the depths of the theatre, every touring company that has come through signed their names on the walls. I found several of my successful performance friends on the wall, as well as Eartha Kitt, Erin Davie, Kendra Kassenbaum, Ashley Brown, and Ann Margaret. It was so cool to get to sign my name on the same wall!!!!!!!! Also, the first poster you see going down the stairs is that of Eva Duarte Peron’s face, my dream show and role!!!!!!!!!! And my dear friend Mary’s Ragtime tour wall sign thing was RIGHT next to my dressing room, as well as my friend Ryan from CATS.

So I LOVED LOVED LOVED THE THEATRE, could move to the city, sad to leave. But the tour must go on, and I’m psyched!
Xo
H

Austin

OUT ON THE TOWN

Austin was amazing. We were only there two nights, but I LOVED the city. First of all, the crowds in Texas are incredible. The crowd was SO SUPPORTIVE, very active audience members that made the show even more powerful. We had ovations both nights from when the ensemble came out.
Second, my best friend from home, Emilie, JUST moved to Austin around New Year’s with her awesome friend Liz. They came to the show the first night, and we went out around Austin until late. It was beautiful, to say the least, and the people there are so friendly, gentlemanly, and courteous. We met up with Tessa along the way for her birthday! When we go back, we of course splurged on pizza bites, mac and cheese, and the candy Emilie brought me. Gotta cheat, gotta cheat. The girls were so much fun, and it was so great to be around Em again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The second night I went out to celebrate for Zac’s birthday, and then David, Billy, and I were hanging out together.

The shows were great, people were so friendly, I'd live there easily...

Here's a pic you can't see b/c it is so dark out, but I have to put something!

Love

H

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sacramento, CA

me and Dave

me, Dave, Emma

me and Margot

Dad





is a fabulous city. Tons of things to do, lots of great food, and a beautiful theatre within a humongous convention center.


The first day, I got to meet up with one of my closest, most trusted friends Dave. Dave has musically directed me in approximately 20 shows over five years, between college and summerstock. Although he never cast me in HIS production of Jesus Christ Superstar six years ago, I still allowed him to come see this production...HAHA, no really, we had an absolute blast, and it was wonderful to catch up. He brought his wonderful lady friend Emma too the first night, and we went out and had a couple of drinks. Then, Sunday night, he and I just went out to a Mexican place, drank sangria, and chatted and caught up on life for hours. It' so nice to meet up with people on the road who really know you, outside of life on tour. It had been far too long, and I'm so thankful for the time we had together!


The second night I met up with a friend I haven't seen in seven years, Margot. She and I went to boarding school at Culver Academies together and lived in the same dorm. It was a blast to catch up with her!!!!!!! I have missed her in my life. It's amazing how fast the years can go by and it's like nothing has changed. The memories of Culver flooded my mind as we laughed and chatted over it all. Can't wait to see her again!


My dad also came the second night, which was a blast. He had a business meeting in LA, so we got to meet up for dinner, and he came to the show. I miss my family so much, and it was great to catch up, if only for 24 hours!!!!!!

On another note, we have had a couple of our understudies go on in California. Raz went on for Mary in Cupertino, Daron for Annas in Sacramento, and Matthew for Judas in Sacramento. All three were amazing!
And now? It's goodbye, California, hello Texas, then headed back towards the East coast!!!!!!!