Student Blog #2

By Guest Writer Sara

To begin with I was a bit hesitant and unsure about the events that would happen through this process. As a theatre major and art major I have always tried to be a very open person with expressing myself. However, as a person that started college with extreme social anxiety and the distrust of other people it has been a very difficult journey.

I have found that in the theatre I have established a type of family with the people that I learn and work with every day. So I have been progressively coming out of my shell more around these people and being myself.

With this production I have found myself in a new type of family. This family is full of people that I may not know that well yet, but I still trust them more than I ever thought was possible in my entire life. I'm excited to see where things will be at the end of the semester and I am very appreciative of this experience and for Jonathan for making all of this possible.

 

Student Blog #1

 By Guest Writer Eric 

We recently started our rehearsals and workshops for the show Cleaning Closets here at Morehead State University. Seeing as this is the alma mater for our director, Jonathan Mayo, I think we all feel a sense of pride to be able to bring this show to the stage in our theatre.

This is my first show in a couple of years and each time I am on stage, I learn something different. The stage, while it’s a place where you typically portray someone else, is a place where you learn the most about yourself. Since my first performance in fourth grade, it’s been a safe haven for me to feel comfortable. Before coming out, it was a parallel to my life because that's what I was doing in my life; portraying a character who is straight. After coming out, the stage was even more freeing.

I have done many shows and many characters and put myself in many different costumes. I have had Whiteout in my hair, I have worn army uniforms, and I have put on heels. This is the first show where I am playing a character in a resemblance to myself, because this is my story. This is my chance to take the things I have been through and put them into words to possibly help someone else.

I have many different thoughts and expectations for this show.  I’ve never been a person for high expectations, but this show is going to be amazing. Jonathan has picked an amazing cast who are all different. We have different stories and we all respect the stories of the others.

When opening night rolls around, I will be ready to show everyone just what we have been working on and I’m sure everyone will feel so elated to be able to share things that may be tough, but we open our lives for a great reason. We share to help.

Flashbacks and Fresh Starts

Being back on campus at my alma mater is surreal. So many things have changed at Morehead State University while so many things have remained the same. I don't want to date myself but it has been almost ten years since I graduated and there are still familiar faces to welcome me back! The things that have changed are for the better while the faces that remain are the best ones to see! 

The new faces are the students and I had a great turnout for auditions last night! The cast list just went up and I'm excited to start rehearsals tonight! Well, I better get ready for that as I still have some prepping to do for rehearsal and some work to do for my job. stay tuned as the students start blogging about their Cleaning Closets experience! 

Morehead, More Stories

In less than a week I will be at Morehead State University creating art with a whole new generation. I'm excited to see how different the campus is since it's been almost a decade since I graduated.  I'm excited to see how different and similar this generation is, to see old friends like the professor I'm boarding with. I am excited to hear new true stories. I'm excited to "give back" as I've mentioned before. Have times changed in Eastern Kentucky, or is it a place stuck in the valley frozen in time? MSU was always pretty gay-friendly despite its position on the GPS, but there was definitely some work to do. 

But I have a lot to get in order before I head out. I have to make sure everything is in line at both of my jobs so that I can work remotely and keep my employment! I have to finish up some things with my friend for the film documentary version of Cleaning Closets so that the next big announcement will be ready by the time I get back. I really want to tell you more about that but it'll just have to wait. Until then, you can enjoy blog posts from the students as they recount their journey through the Cleaning Closets experience. 

Sorry It's Been So Long

Sometimes I wish I could just spend all day crafting my art because I have so many project ideas I want to work on. But that doesn't exactly pay the bills and I have a responsibility to my household to at least keep our utilities from getting shut off. So when it comes time to prioritize my projects, it's extremely hard especially when the inspiration for one idea comes but I'm supposed to be focused on a different project.
For instance, I've been writing a separate play outside of Cleaning Closets for a while now, but my priority is the script for the web series and my lesson plans for MSU. So sometimes my other script must fall to the wayside. But when the inspiration for other projects hits, I can't ignore it and risk losing it all. So I have to start writing down ideas for those projects. Now I also need to start working on the editing for the film documentary.  But trust me when I say it'll all get done!  The good thing is I can set my own deadlines, but I don't want to keep pushing things off either.  Oh the life of an artist.