More, more, more!

Showing our stuff to Vaudezilla went wonderfully! They're always so open and give ideas and feedback that shape our sketches into something I am immensely proud of. It was also a night of seeing what everyone else is bringing to this show and, once again, I am beyond impressed. I laughed, I hooted and hollered! And this wasn't even fully in costume! March 16 is going to have one hell of a show!

I also had the opportunity to see a few shows since I last wrote. On Thursday Jen and I caught the Women's Club of Evanston's annual Benefit Show, whose proceeds this year are going to the Institute for Therapy Through the Arts (that's a mouthful!). The show kept us laughing until our sides hurt and I'm so happy something like ITA (the people getting the proceeds) exists. Listening to Jen talk about it was absolutely fascinating. She told me about a stroke victim who had lost use of his left side entirely but had been a pianist prior to his stroke. They set up a piano for him to play with his right hand and a mirror. The reflection made it look like his left hand was moving and because his brain interpreted it this way, eventually he regained some use of his left hand! Amazing stuff.

Then last night I caught opening night of Beau Jest at Oil Lamp. Another night filled with laughter! I may be biased because I have worked with the company before and am set to start rehearsals with them soon, but it is so refreshing to see very intimate yet very professional spaces like this one. Having performed in converted warehouses, large auditoriums, storefronts, black boxes, and various other theatres, it is a difficult line to walk to create a space like Oil Lamp has. The building had been a cafe before they bought it and there are still some left-over elements of that cafe, but nothing feels out of place. From the moment you walk in the door it feels like a family gathering.

<3