Bullying and How It Gave Me Something To Do Today

     For the past week a selected group of students from my grade have been putting togther a play for an antibullying summit at the American Bank center for school administrators. It sounds really boring but it's been really great. To start off with, our teacher/director, Ms. M, told us we could write our own script. So for those of you who don't know me, I am a control freak. Before anyone even began to write ideas down on paper I had turned in a script to be reviewed. Ms. M decided that she liked it so we began to learn lines. The storyline revoloves around three main charcters; Russell, John, and Danielle. Russell was played by my good friend, Quentin Arispe and was a teen who just came out to his school that he was gay. Because of this, he loses all of his friends but by the end, he gets them back and support of the school. John, played by Douglass Hagemeister, is at first a life long friend of Russell but cannot accept that he is gay so leaves him. Once he sees how Russell is being treated however comes back to the rescue. Danielle completes the trio of friends and is the martyr of the show. Danielle was played by me and gets cyberbullied until she eventually commits suicide.

     We had rehearsals everyday during 7th period and at Aurora Arts Theatre. When we were at the theatre, the owner came to watch us do a dress rehearsal. "You've got a great set of kids you've got here, RaMina." said the owner.

     "Yeah, I made sure to pick my absolute best." replied Ms. M.

     At that we all smiled.

     When we arrived at the summit we realized that we were the only group who were here to have fun. We got on a bus with kids from Ray and Collegiate and immeadiately noticed that they were all buisiness. Those kids talked about the matter at hand while he sat at the back of the bus belting Book of Mormon and Wicked songs. Once we got settled in at our table we went to the bathroom and made a makeshift dressing room. We got into costume and put on stage makeup until we were stage ready. Then we returned to the Baker table to enjoy a fancy meal. How our school district could even afford it, I have no idea.

     Then we actually particiapted in the summit. It soon became obvious as we were grouped with the Ray kids that we were chosen to participate for different reasons. Most of us just let the juniors do the talking but then there was Quentin who wouldn't stop talking. Kate drew elephants on her script, I was on Twitter, but every now and again we made (somewhat) sigifigant contributions to the conversation. 

     Finally it was our time to go and perform. I was so proud of the cast that was assembled because everyone did fantsticly. The audience ate it up! When Russell announced that he was gay, people stood and appluaded. When John left Russell they all boo-ed. When my suicide scene started, one guy in the back yelled "DON'T DO IT!" Finally when we all went for bows, we got a standing ovation. As we walked offstage reporters there covering the summit came to talk to us and take pictures. The superintendent came and told us how well we did. A teacher from Ray came up and commended us as well; we even made her cry.

     Pretty good for a Monday.

Flat Stanley Takes its Final Bows



This was set out in lobby

     Today the cast of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley took their final bows. It was a very sad but fun day. After our performance we had a cast party in the blackbox studio. We talked about the good times we had shared over the last few months. There were many laughs but also so many tears. People (okay, just Brant) cried and blamed the salsa for being "too spicy". It was mild. No one wanted our show to end.
     We all joked about PSD (Post Show Depression) and how it was going to kick our butts later. Just that day I read some seriously depressing stuff on Twitter and Facebook. I will copy and past some of what I saw. This is only the day of mind you, there are probably going to be even more PSD tweets and posts as the week goes on and we slowly realize that there are no more rehearsals or performances. WHAT WILL WE DO WITH OUR LIVES?!

PSD TWEETS/POSTS

• @BOOMhollymonroe: Oh my God. This day is going to be the worst. #psd
• @KatieLoovesYou: I'm going to cry like a baby today.
• @KatieLoovesYou: This is the last day of being Mrs.Lambchop.
• @Eli_Oh_Jyes: @KatieLoovesYou YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MRS. LAMBCHOP! #ForeverMyStageWife
• @MireyaYvonne: @BrantMHudgins it's our last day of being paintings, but we will always be masterpieces
• @KatieLoovesYou: Just got done with 'Our Child is Flat' and 'The Funny Sunny Side'.....for the last time. I'm dying of sadness
• @Eli_Oh_Jyes: Love These Kids.
• @HEYitsChristin: Watching techs destroy the set. #sadday
• @BOOMhollymonroe: Its the salsa
• @HEYitsChristin: It's all over. Now on with the next show.
• @BrantMHudgins: You know what? I am not ashamed to be the big baby that I am. I'm not afraid to cry my eyes out, as many of you witnessed me doing today.
• Brant: Okay, I held on for as long as possible, I'm gonna go cry now. (Facebook)
• @KatieLoovesYou: Flat Stanley was a good show. A really good show. #psd
• @EmilyLoovesYouu: We had a good run, you guys. Flat Stanley was a good part of our lives. Now it's time to do another show, and make another fantastic memory.
• @Eli_Oh_Jyes: Post-Show Depression has, officially, begun. #PSD
• @KatieLoovesYou: When Cris sang "Stanley's adventures are over my friends. Though our tale is ending..." I started tearing up. Then cried through the bows.
• @KatieLoovesYou: Seeing William cry tore me apart. #LambchopLullaby #ALotOfTears
• @BOOMhollymonroe: Just got @Eli_Oh_Jyes's email and the PSD has finally sunken in.
• @BOOMhollymonroe: Oh my God. I'm crying.
• @BrantMHudgins: #PSD making me super sad, I'm gonna go cry some more.
• @KatieLoovesYou: I just pulled out some homework that I needed to finish from last week, and it had Flat Stanley lyrics doodled all over it. #PSDHitHard
• Brant: Guys, I'm not crying this is just me remembering how hot that salsa was. (Facebook)
• @TheYellowBrick4: #PSD #WheresMyRope?
• @BrantMHudgins: Dreading going to sleep because that's when I REALLY start crying. #PSD

   So as you can see, a lot of us really felt the depression sinking in. I think I would have too if I hadn't seen something that day.

     That day I went up to the costume loft to return my Mona Lisa dress and saw an old friend of mine. It was a dress set out, hanging by the entrance. I could tell someone had recently moved it because I would've noticed it before. It was covered in black sequins with different colored sequins making all kinds of geometric shapes. I recognized it immediately.

     It was the dress I wore my first time ever performing at the Harbor Playhouse. I used it for a one act festival a long, long time ago. That festival was my first real taste of theatre and really what made me fall in love with the art. I thought it was fate that I see it that day.

     It was fate because as I thought I was saying goodbye to Flat Stanley I realized that you don't say goodbye to shows like that. Not really. I learned the basics in that sequin dress. I learned about how to really pull off a great show. I made friends in that show that I still have. That is where I met Brant, who was my fellow painting (Napoleon) in Flat Stanley. I didn't say goodbye to him. I also remember how I felt preforming that one act play. It felt like I had made it to the "big theatre". Looking back I laugh at what I thought was "big theatre". That was nothing. That was rehearsing every other day for an hour after school then doing two or three free performances. Flat Stanley was rehearsed for months, three to four hours a day, performed multiple times a week for weeks and people paid to see us. If the last time I wore that dress, and you had told me people would have paid to see me, I would've laughed in your face.

    I didn't cry after that. I new Flat Stanley would live on with me. I had learned so much from it and I would never lose that knowledge. I also experienced even "bigger" theatre. Maybe years from now I will look back and say "Wow! I thought that was 'big theatre'?!"

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley pt. 5

   I've been so consumed with performances I haven't posted in a while.
     I have always been good about having my energy up but some days it really kills me. Some days I go in tired so I leave really exhausted. For example some days we have PLAYtime (Performing Live Art for Youth) all day and then we also have another evening performance. So I get to the theater at 8:00 in the morning and leave at 9:30 at night.
     I'm not complaining. I love every minute! I am with friends, doing what I love, and all with an amazing audience. The kids we perform for are in elementary school. One school bussed kids from an hour away just to see us. For them we are amazing and they think every song it beautiful, every dance is artistic, and every scene is hilarious.
     Unlike normal audiences we don't get the usual applause. They all jump up, clapping as loudly as possible and yell. They make us feel like rockstars. We also go out for meet and greets and they all tell you "You were my favorite part!" You know they are probably telling that to everyone but it still makes you feel like a million bucks.
     For a lot of those kids it's their first taste of theatre. It's important to rock their socks. This way, they think it's the coolest thing in the world like we do.
     I've also gotten three bouquets of flowers so far. I have them all in my room and everyday when I wake up, I look at them and smile. I look at them and remember the feeling of being onstage. Looking out to see the faces of the audience as they giggle at the funny scene. I feel the heat of stage lights on my face. I hear the soft chatter of the dressing room. I see the dark shadows that are the tech crew moving set pieces almost invisibly. It's a great feeling trust me.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley pt.4

    Tonight was opening night down at the Harbor Playhouse for the Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. We had quite a crowd show up too. Our show started at 7:30 in the evening but we all got there at 3:00 to do a last minute rehearsal.
     By the time we were saying "Thank you 20!" (non thespian translation (NTT): the show opens in 20 minutes so stop screwing around!) we all felt the adrenaline.
     All the girls had on stage makeup, and for those of you that have never seen anybody with stage makeup on up close,  let's just say Snooki doesn't have anything on us! The stage lights make your face look like a white circle so you need lots of makeup just to have a face at all.
     Our director has a nice tradition going on at the playhouse. During our magic circle (NTT: when all of the actors huddle up for a pre-show pep talk) he leads us in a prayer as we all hold hands. His prayer was so nice and inspiring that most people's eyes began to water. He said in the time he has been working with us (for the past three months) we have surpassed his expectations. When he said that each and every one of us are stars I squeezed Rebecca's hand and she squeezed mine back.
     When Belle, our stage manager, called for places (NTT: get your butt to where you start the show) I got onto the top wagon (NTT: tower with wheels) with Brant (Napoleon) and Adri (O'Jay D'Art). We just looked at each other and engulfed each other in a huge group hug.
     As the majestic grand (NTT: big red curtain that hides the stage) began to rise and our opening song began to play I could taste the excitement. Needless to say we all killed it. The whole performance was excellent and the whole cast had so much fun.
     For the meet and greet we go into the lobby but this time there was a surprise for us. The walls were decorated with little paper Flat Stanley's, there was a snack buffet, and pictures of the cast we on the wall with their Flat Stanley.
     Our show runs weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) until April 1. Come and feel some of the magic that this show is all about.

***Click here to buy tickets to come see us!***

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley pt. 3

     Last night was our first rehearsal with our costumes and we all look amazing. The picture to the left is of me in my Mona Lisa costume. Personally I think I can pull it off, but then again I'm super biased.
   All of our costumes are over the top and epic. Stanley's flat suit looks absolutely hilarious. I will post pictures after the show is over because it is supposed to be a big reveal.
     Will, who plays Stanley, went in front of a green screen last night to make animations for when Stanley gets flown like a kite.
     Our Lambchop family was also on the news...at 5:45 in the morning. IT'S SPRING BREAK PEOPLE! I would've watched it but that's really early and I am a teenager after all. It's a good thing Eli (Mr. Lambchop) got us a link for it. It will go at the bottom of this post. In the video the Lambchop family (Will, Lucas, Eli and Katie) all just woke up to find Stanley flat. This song, Our Child Is Flat, is their initial reaction. Take Stanley to the doctor to get checked out? No. Ask Stanley if he feels okay? Nah. Give the poor boy an aspirin or something? Nope. Not, the Lambchop family. They just burst out into song.
     So anyway if you just happen to live in South Texas, and you also just happen to be reading this...if you just happen to get an urge to go to the Harbor Playhouse for some family fun...perhaps starting Friday night...well, I wouldn't stop you.

Flat Stanley on the news way too early in the morning

^^^click that up there to see some Lamchop action!^^^

One Act Festival 2012 pt. 2

     The morning of the festival our bus got to our school about an hour late. You know what that means? We missed Grant perform. You know what that means? I missed Drake (see earlier post) perform. As soon as I got there however, I found all of my theatre friends from other schools. Over the past few years being involved in theatre competitions, showcases, and festivals will make you quite popular. I got to see a friend I hadn't seen in a long time. Her name is Alyssa and she goes to Cullen. She is incredibly pretty and talented. She absolutely killed it onstage at this festival too. I saw Cris, who goes to Grant but is a good friend of mine from the playhouse. I missed his performance but I bet he killed it too.
    So on the way to the Harbor Playhouse I promised myself that I would do my best to ignore Drake. The last thing I needed was to fall for him again. But that was easier said than done. When I got there he texted me "Where are you?" and of course I spotted him but hid away. I could see him but he couldn't see me. For the first half of the day I went out of my way to stay hidden but he kept looking for me. He sat in the second row and without thinking I crossed the first row to get back to the Baker section. I didn't see him until he jumped over the first row of seats and snatched my arm.
     "Hey, you aren't going to say hi to me?"That was the first time I actually had a good look at him. I immediately remembered why I fell for him in the first place. Wow, he was extraordinary. He wasn't a cookie-cutter, good looking boy. He had imperfections; some of my friends didn't think he is good looking at all. But to me those imperfections make him irresistible. He is just so adorable.
     "Are you not going to hug me either?" he asked with his arms open. Of course my earlier promise evaporated into thin air and I hugged him. Damn, he even smelled good. After a little small talk he came to meet the rest of my cast. Some of them had already met him but some had only heard of him and his reputation.
     "This is the guy we have to kill?" muttered one of the younger kids.
     True, it was really hard having to say goodbye to Drake but I knew I had to. I can't be his friend, it's just not possible for me. So he went to go sit with the rest of the cudas and they swarmed him; asking who I was. I wonder what he told them? The truth or "just a friend"?
    The schools are supposed to stay in the auditorium and watch the other schools perform but Baker is a special school. We are more awesome than them. We (our teacher included) went to the watergardens and just had a party. We ran around, took pictures and played in the water. Holden, he plays Neptune in our play, decided to Tebow for a picture in the middle of the water but soon faceplanted. So the guy that plays the god of the sea had to walk around dripping wet. Fail!
     Once we actually went back to the playhouse Cris and Alyssa ended up ditching their schools and hanging out with me and the rest of my Baker cast. That says something about us and how well we get along. Each one act cast is a new and very different generation of talented kids. Last year we made lasting friendships and this year I believe we have too. All we could hope to do is pass on our theatre spirit, Red Tide. Red Tide has a mascot unlike any other. Our mascot is a rubber fish named Aids Diabetes Hopkins. We take it everywhere with us because it is our good luck charm. It's a good luck charm because it can calm anyone down right before a performance. How does it calm you down? Well, when you hold it; you have Aids. Hehe.
     So after the festival a couple of friends (I won't name names) told me just to take Aids with me for good. I just couldn't though. I know next year when those kids are competing they are going to need Aids and Aids needs to be there for them. I know for a fact now that the next generation will carry on Red Tide.