Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A Cold Day in July

It was a clear, sunny day; only wispy thoughts of clouds passed overhead. Despite the sun, the morning was rather cool. Grace sat in the parking lot for a long time — nearly half an hour just sitting — looking at the ring on her finger. Occasionally looking up at the wrought iron staircase leading to the battered green door. Behind that door, Ben was probably still asleep. If she waited much longer, she would be late for work. The thing was, part of her didn't care.

After two minutes that felt like twenty she got out of the car and headed up the stairs. She took out her key and carefully unlocked the door, sucking in a breath as the hinges creaked. She hesitated, but heard nothing from within. She slipped in, gently pressing the door closed behind her.

Normally Ben slept sprawled across the futon, his face pressed into the mattress, arms and legs frozen in mid-flail, the covers in disarray. Today he was on his side, curled like a child, holding the blankets up under his chin. Grace shook her head. Just looking at him made her —

She turned away, pacing. Get it over with, and be quick about it, or you’ll just stand here all day. Just stand here all day, watching him sleep… Grace rubbed at her eyes. Was this what her life was going to be from now on?

The wedding was just weeks away. They had been to the King County courthouse, had done all the paperwork, had picked up the license. A single sheet of paper that gave them permission to marry within the state of Washington. A single page, thin and delicate; even slight pressure would crumple it. A single match would make it disappear in moments. How could such a fragile thing hold so much weight?

Kneeling beside the futon, Grace let out a breath that gently rustled Ben’s hair.

“Hi,” she said. “This is probably a little ridiculous, but I just need to say…” She sat back on her heels. What? What did she need to say? Leaning her cheek on one hand, she reached out with the other, smoothing his hair between her fingers.

Instinctively his hand moved up and met hers, tucking it possessively under his chin.

Grace smiled for a moment, then bit her lip. Her eyes clouded over and she could feel a familiar tightening in her throat.

“I have to go,” she said. “I’m sorry. I just — I have to — ” She stood suddenly, pulling her hand away. Ben did not move, and Grace fled into the sunshine.

*** *** ***

It was past one when Ben finally awoke. His eyes were dry, their lids like sandpaper. A familiar scent was in his nostrils; perhaps from a dream? Perhaps not. He pulled himself to a sitting position.

“Gracie?” He looked around. Nope; he was alone. His shoulders slumped a bit; it was always a welcome thing to wake up with Grace close by. It wouldn’t be long till it was a regular occurrence. He stretched and glanced at the clock. Yikes. He should probably check in with — Where was his phone? Usually with his wallet, which today was —

Something bright caught his eye. His gaze moved to the door, and he saw his phone and wallet sitting on the table beside it. He stood and crossed to the door, reaching for the phone. But his hand stopped suddenly, hovering just a moment over the table top.

On the corner of the table was a folded piece of paper labeled “Ben” in a familiar hand. With it was a key and a ring set with a modest solitaire.

He had the strangest sensation in his chest: like it was packed with cotton, draining all the fluid away, blood and water and bile, so that all that was left were his organs, dry and brittle to the touch. It was suddenly hard to breathe. He didn’t touch any of it, the ring or the note. He just turned and went back to bed.

Monday, June 29, 2009

The Winners!!

We are excited to announce the winners for our drawing!

JENN
Bubble Fun Package
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

KELSEY
popcorn & candy
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

Please email SSS@bluelightstage.org to get your prizes!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

We will be doing giveaways every Friday until the end of July, so stay tuned!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Matthew Meese

(remember to enter the giveaway below!)



Stats
  • Nicknames: Mattypants
  • Eye Color: lovely shade of hazel
  • Zodiac Sign: Libra
  • Pepsi or Coke: Dr. Pepper
  • Dream Job: Zoo Keeper
  • Is Pluto a Planet?: It always will be to me
  • Matt's Aura is: Blue?
  • Pet Peeve: Not sayin', cause if you know it, you'll do it.
  • Weirdest Dream: It involved a trip to Ireland, a talking horse, and a herd of velociraptors.
  • If Matt had a million dollars and had to spend it in a month, he'd: Buy an elephant and a storage shed to keep it in.
  • If Matt could vote off two letters of the alphabet, he'd vote off: J and K just so no one could say "JK!"
  • If Matt had to get ride of one sense, he would get rid of his: sense of impending doom.  I don't think I need to explain why.
  • Matt's Motto: Don't panic
  • Matt's Patronus: Puma
  • Hecka or Tight: Hecka, fo sho.
  • Morning or Night: Night please
  • Favorite Season: Fall of 2003
  • Favorite Line in the Show: "I think the croutons have gone south."
(remember to enter the giveaway below!)

Friday, June 26, 2009

Free Date Friday!

FREE DATE FRIDAY!

First Giveaway Package:
Bubble Fun Package
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

Second Giveaway Package:
popcorn & candy
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)


HOW TO ENTER:
There are three ways to enter the giveaway drawing. If you want to increase your chances of winning, enter the drawing multiple ways!
  1. comment on this blog post
  2. reply to/follow us on twitter
  3. or post our blog as your status on facebook (and then post the link below).
DEADLINE:
The giveaway will close at pm on Monday (MST) when we will do the drawing and post the winners!

Good Luck!

(if your interested in partnering with us on a future giveaway, contact me for info at ssss at  bluelightstage dot org)

Our Bad

Dearest Readers,

We would like to apologize for our lack of blogging this week.  I know it won't make it better, but let me explain.  

We open in 2 weeks.  

Not enough of an explanation for you?  Here's what we've been doing this week!  Jake, Dave and Landon have been selling ad space in our programs.  The whole cast and crew have been passing out postcards (that are also $2 off coupons!  Do you have one??).  Various people have been working to clean up PTC.  Hours and hours of rehearsal for Landon, Amelia and the cast.  Plus most of us have class and work and such.  

We're not trying to neglect you, I promise.  In fact, Mel has been working on the most brilliant yet of Ben and Grace stories.  And Landon is focusing on the making the show brilliant!  Hoo-ray, everyone wins!

So after this week of blog neglect, I promise that we will be back and running on our regular schedule.  Keep checking the blog!  Keep telling your friends!  It's only going to get better from here!

Loves,
Landon and Company

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Jen Vlogs Again




Dear world, sorry this is getting posted not on Wednesday.  Ben and Grace have crappy internet, which makes no sense since Ben is the nerdy gaming king.  Whatever.  I'm house sitting and their apartment is a hole and has totally thrown off my groove.  Hope your week is better than mine!  

Grace, come home already.

Peace, Jen.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The Winners!!

We are excited to announce the winners for our drawing!  
(sorry this is late - we were in rehearsal until 11 pm)

DAVEY
Uno Game Night Package
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

LINNEA
popcorn & candy
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

Please email SSS@bluelightstage.org to get your prizes!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

We will be doing giveaways every Friday until the end of July, so stay tuned!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

William McAllister

(giveaway below!)



Nicknames:

Kweesh, Doggie, William Wallace Macgregor III

Zodiac Sign:

um....

Favorite Color:

All of them. Seriously.

Least Favorite Vegetable:

Can't say. I like 'em all. It's like asking me to pick a least favorite son or daughter.

Favorite TV Show:

Beverly Hillbillies

Is Pluto a Planet:

If it's not, all I believed as a child would be destroyed

Will's Aura is:

Light brown, almost gold, with a beam of sunshine and a white spot

Pet Peeve:

When people don't take 10 seconds out of their lives to put the shopping cart back in the cart return. Come on people, let's make the bagger's life easier.

In 5 years, Will sees himself:

teaching film in high school, one baby, and hopefully a wife along with that

Weirdest Dream He's Had:

I had this one dream when Billy Joel came and sang Piano man whilst playing a guitar from Guitar Hero. Then Jen physically assaulted me and a lady shoved cheese down my throat and I thought I was going to choke to death but an army man tackled me.

What's a Cool Word that Rhymes with William:

McWilliam (thank you ChaCha)

If Will could have a superhero power, it would be:

Beatboxing like Courtney

Will's Motto is:

The ultimate perhaps the last freedom is the right and power to decide within how anyone or anything outside ourselves will effect us.

Hecka or Tight:

Dang!

Favorite Line in the Show:

No more cheese, please -


(giveaway below!)

Friday, June 19, 2009

Free Date Friday!

FREE DATE FRIDAY!

First Giveaway Package:
Uno Game Night Package
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

Second Giveaway Package:
popcorn & candy
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)


HOW TO ENTER:
There are three ways to enter the giveaway drawing. If you want to increase your chances of winning, enter the drawing multiple ways!
  1. comment on this blog post
  2. reply to/follow us on twitter
  3. or post our blog as your status on facebook (and then post the link below).
DEADLINE:
The giveaway will close at pm on Monday (MST) when we will do the drawing and post the winners!

Good Luck!

(if your interested in partnering with us on a future giveaway, contact me for info at ssss at  bluelightstage dot org)

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Auditions and Casting

For this director, the most difficult part of the whole process of putting on a show is auditions. I never know for sure who is going to show up, who will work well together, or who will work well with me. When I've held auditions during the school year, lots of people have shown up (which makes sense, because there are more students here during the school year...) but auditions during spring or summer have been less well attended. Before auditions for Standing I was quite anxious.

Auditions happened. I was blown away by the talent that showed up. And then we sat there and tried to cast. We tried and tried for over an hour and the pieces just weren't falling in to place. I left auditions frustrated. Frustrated at my inability to cast this show. We had the talent, why couldn't I cast?! I started praying to know who needed this show, who did this show need, who would work well with one another, who would work well with me, etc. My heart sent, oh I don't know, thousands of prayers up pleading for the Lord's assistance.

Mel gave me a ride home and in the car we started talking about casting. I was still frustrated with myself, but suddenly the Lord stepped in and made up what I was lacking. All of the pieces fell in to place. Over the next few days as we came up against setbacks, the Lord was there holding my hand and leading me the way I needed to go and the way the show needed to go.

We had our first read through on Memorial Day. Everyone crammed into my living room (and I mean literally crammed). There was a lot of laughter and nervous energy in the air as we passed out copies of the script. We opened page one and started reading. I looked around and felt chills up and down my spine as I realized that each person brought an individual and important skill set that the show wouldn't be incomplete without. It was fantastic.

We have been in rehearsals for 2.5 weeks now. The Lord continues to make up what I lack as a director (which is a lot). Through this cast, this story is coming to life. And it's awesome!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Jen Vlogs



My life is a desert.  Hope yours is better.  Or not.  

Peace, Jen.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

There Was This One Time...

Ben’s palms were sweating. It felt like he was wiping them down his trousers every two minutes. He couldn’t remember ever sweating this much in his life. At least it was dark in the theatre. He kept checking his jacket pocket, to make sure the box was still there. Ugh, if he lost it… Mom would kill him, for starts. Who knew what Gracie would do.


He glanced over at her; she was looking up at the screen, completely enthralled. There was even a slight smile on her face; it was a good smile, one of his favorites, not at all self-conscious; in fact, she probably didn’t even know she was smiling at all.


As if she knew what he was thinking, her left hand crept into his. He looked at it, brushing her fingers lightly with his thumb. Part of him wanted to just put the ring on. It’d be so much easier here, in the quiet dark. But what if she said no? I’m such a mess, God. She is totally going to say no.


Grace turned her hand, interlacing her fingers with his so their palms touched, her forearm resting atop his. What do I do if she says no?


*** *** ***


After the film, Grace asked, “What did you think?”


His mind was a blank. “Um,” he said.


“Did you fall asleep?”


“No, promise.”


“Then what did you think?”


His palms were going again, so he balled his hands into fists and shoved them into the pockets of his jacket; the knuckles of his left hand bumped against the box.


“I don’t know,” he said. Lame. He wanted to bang his head against something. “I wasn’t watching the movie,” he said, finally. “I — I was watching you watching the movie.”


He didn’t know what her reaction was; he was too embarrassed to check it. After a moment she put her arm through his, and they continued walking. It was a Friday night, and the megaplex had been crowded; the Jeep was parked on the far edge of the lot. Just past the asphalt was a sudden drop, a hillside that rolled down to sprawling, undeveloped acres of brush and scrub oak.


“What did you think?” he asked.


“About the movie? It was all right.”


“Just all right?”


It was a little — I don’t know. Easy for him. He just asked her, you know? Just proposed, like ‘please pass the salt.’ Totally out of nowhere. No spark.”


He shifted on his feet. Tried leaning against the door of the Jeep to look cool, but realized too late the angle was bad and that his knees were too bent. She cocked her head at him, and he stood up. “My back is — you know,” he said.


“Are you feeling okay?”


“Sure. Yeah. Peachy. Today was a good day.”


“Because you seem a little — ”


“Do you think it was easy, really? For him to propose?”


“It seemed that way. I mean, it didn’t seem to mean much to him. Like he was going to be fine whether she said yes or no.”


Ben rubbed his forehead. “Huh. I guess that makes sense.”


She was next him, her hand on his arm. “You’re flushed.”


He swallowed, and it felt like he was eating dust. “I think the curry was a bad choice.”


“We should get you home — ”


“No. I mean — I have to ask you something, and I just — ” His breath stopped, and something in him gurgled. Literally. “Oh, that’s not good.”


He turned too quickly, tripping over the low cement barrier and flying headlong down the grassy incline.


“Ben! Are you okay?”


His chin stung from skidding across the grass, and his shoulders and knees were not happy. Slowly he pulled himself to his feet. He half-ran, half-stumbled toward a clump of bushes where he leaned over and vomited. Great, that’s just great. He stood there for a minute, his back slightly bent, his hands on knees.


“Ben?”


He didn’t want to turn around. If he had been a mess before, he didn’t know what to call this.


“Yeah, I’m fine. I just — ” He straightened up and without thinking his hand went to his pocket. The box was gone. Oh, no. He patted himself down. Where the — ? He turned to look the way he had come.


Grace was standing at the bottom of the incline. The box was in her hand, and it was open, the modest solitaire winking at him.


“Oh, good,” he said. “I thought I had lost that.”


“It’s lovely,” she said.


“It’s yours, if you want it,” he said. “It was supposed to be a surprise. I don’t know how to do this but — ”


“Yes,” she said. She was smiling, just a little. That sweet, almost smile.


“Yes?” he repeated. “Do you mean…?”


“Yes.”

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Winners!!

We are excited to announce the winners for our drawing!

CINDY JENSEN
Mini Spa Package
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

NOLA
popcorn & candy
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th

Please email SSS@bluelightstage.org to get your prizes!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

We will be doing giveaways every Friday until the end of July, so stay tuned!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

From Rehearsals 2

(don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY below!)
"She's telling me I'm a toolbox with her eyes." -Will

"And then I go, 'No, my poor baby!' ...No I don't! Ahahahaha! (cackle)" -Hillary

"I can feel the powers of the universe flowing into me." -Heidi

"Wow. You stabbed me in the back. My back was turned, and you stabbed it." -Will
"Well, I was going to rub it, but you ran away." -Heidi

"Apparently girls don't like it when you pat their heads." -Will
"It's a little stronger than 'apparently.' " -Mel

"You'll smell like Sparkling Melons." -Heidi

"The Holy Ghost in my heart is a princess." -Moira (quoted by Hillary)

"I always read the smoochies." -Dave

"That's right. You choo-choo that train." -Courtney

(don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY below!)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Courtney Jensen

(giveaway below!)



Nickname:

Court-short, Courtnizzle, BEATS, Mighty Mouse

Zodiac Sign:

Gemini!

Favorite Number:

4 (four)!

Favorite color:

GREEN!

Least Favorite Vegetable:

eggplant!

Pepsi or Coke:

Coke (from the bottle)!

Hometown:

SACRAMENTO!

Dream Job:

Beatboxer --!!

What Color Is Her Aura:

ORANGE!

Guilty Pleasure:

TRASHY TV

Weirdest Place She’s Slept:

Bathtub!

Pet Peeve:

bad drivers, people who come into movies halfway thru and then begin to ask questions...and then they leave!

In 5 Years, Courtney Sees Herself:

With Landon, herding small children onto a stage and fixing their costumes. We will change the WORLD!

Weirdest Dream She’s Ever Had:

I had a dream once that a long haired Tongan midget man was chasing me and my best friend through a parking lot. He jumped into a VW Van ad tried to hit us.

Motto:

Anything ‘K’ can do ‘C’ can do better.

Most Played Song On Her iTunes:

“If You’re Out There” – John Legend

PC or Mac:

Mac

Favorite Line From The Show:

“And muppets like having hands up their butts.”

(giveaway below!)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Free Date Friday!

FREE DATE FRIDAY!

First Giveaway Package:
Mini Spa Package
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)

Second Giveaway Package:
popcorn & candy
2 tickets to opening night of Standing Still Standing (July 10th)


HOW TO ENTER:
There are three ways to enter the giveaway drawing. If you want to increase your chances of winning, enter the drawing multiple ways!
  1. comment on this blog post (you do not have to have your own blog to do this - anyone can comment!)
  2. reply to/follow us on twitter
  3. or post our blog as your status on facebook (and then post the link below).
DEADLINE:
The giveaway will close at pm on Monday (MST) when we will do the drawing and post the winners!

Good Luck!

(if your interested in partnering with us on a future giveaway, contact me for info at ssss at  bluelightstage dot org)