I fear these first few posts will contain too much exposition.  But I know people want to hear what we're doing, so stick with us and I'm sure it will get quirkier.  (I looked up "quirkier" to make sure it was a word. It's not in the dictionary, but the Scrabble Word Finder says it is valid, so I'm going to go with it.)

We are spending our two weeks of on-site training at Laura Wilder Elementary school in Sioux Falls.  If any of you know my obsession with the Little House on the Prairie series, you will know how excitingly appropriate this is.  I have been a proud owner of the entire box set for as long I can remember!  Anyway, this week we have been going to every single classroom in the school to teach 45 minute theater workshops. The goal of this is twofold.  (Side note: I feel fancy when I say twofold.)  First, Harrison and I get to learn the exact model of the workshops by watching the FABulous Jen, Dakota Players' Education and Outreach Director, and then get ample opportunity to run them ourselves.  And, secondly, we promote the play we will be doing next week and generate interest for auditions this Friday.  Needless to say, we did that.  Initially, the principal was concerned about reaching the participant minimum of 20 students.  As of today, we have somewhere around 125 kids signed up to audition!!  Unfortunately, we can only cast a maximum of 50 students, but the excitement about arts that we are seeing here is really exciting.

My favorite story of the week came from a first grade classroom.  We were playing a game that dealt with "feeling words".  We had tried out happy, sad, mad, excited, and found how each of those fit into our bodies.  So, I asked if anyone had another idea of a "feeling word" we could try to act out.  One little girl raised her hand high, and when I called on her, earnestly suggested - "Constipated!"  It was amazing! It was not smart-aleck-y or looking for a laugh.  It was supremely genuine. The adults in the room all burst into laughter and I quickly re-directed to - "How about - like you have a tummy ache, good idea!!"

Overall, I want to congratulate Laura Wilder school.  All week, we have been impressed by the level of teacher participation and the number of kids pushing in their chairs! (It was seriously close to 100%)

Meanwhile, I continue to be impressed with the Dakota Players.  This is a really cool, on point company, and they really have this system figured out.

In the evenings this week, we have been rehearsing and soaking up all the information that we need to know to run the show for next week and the following weeks of the tour! Just think of us as two giant sponges.  No, really...picture that.  After all, we have been stressing the importance of imagination all week. It's not just for kids.

We are eagerly anticipating our first round of auditions tomorrow.  We will, of course, let you know how it goes.

We miss you, friends.  Check in with us and let us know what is new and exciting with you.
xoxo,
C&H

Where does the story start?

At the Beginning.

As many of you know, Harrison and I left Olympia last week to embark on an exciting new chapter in our lives.  We will be leading a Children's Theater Tour around South Dakota for the Dakota Players!  What exactly does that mean?  I'm so glad you asked.  Essentially, the two of us (just the two of us!) will travel around to different residencies each week.  We will bring all the sets, costumes, lights, scripts, etc. in a van - (a Plymouth Voyager - which excites me to no end as my very first vehicle was a Plymouth Voyager.  RIP Vanna).  We then have one week to audition, cast, rehearse, and perform our play with the local children.  So, by now, you have probably made up your mind that this either sounds majorly exciting or majorly insane.  We think it is a little bit of both, and that is exactly why we are thrilled and honored to be a part of it.

We arrived in Sioux Falls late Saturday night and we have been training hard ever since.  (More details to come soon.)  We are staying with Deb Workman, the Managing Director of Dakota Players, and her family.  Deb and her husband, Dan, met at the Black Hills Playhouse, just like us!  Such a magical little place!  And now they have three extra-spunky and ever-entertaining boys.  The younger boys keep Harrison and I busy during our after-dinner break by playing 4-square with us and letting us jump on the trampoline with them!!  That's right - our place of work has a trampoline.

Anyway, we really wanted to have a way to reach a lot of people who may want to follow our travels and adventures.  Hopefully, this blog will be just that.  In the spirit of full disclosure, I have been bad a blogging in the past.  So, if we start to slack, I expect some prodding from those of you who can contact us via other methods!  We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our family and friends as we prepare for this journey.

I am posting a few photos and the link to our company's website in case anyone wants more information.  You can also check out our schedule there and see which town we are in!

Thank you.  We love you.  And check back soon!    

Carolyn & Harrison

www.dakotaplayers.com

                                                  All packed up and ready to hit the road!

                                 Harrison loves how it looks like Kermit it pointing at me and laughing!!

                     Harrison's Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Johnny were in Rapid City, SD, so we got to
                                                     have lunch with them on our way through!

                                                                         Hard at work.  :)