Today’s weather was gorgeous. As in, practically eighty degrees, a nice amount of sunshine, and very low humidity. And what did I do today? Homework, as usual. And as I was looking at my planner, I realized that I misunderstood my friend and fellow blogger Carly when she said that we have five weeks of school left after spring break. Yes, technically we do, if you don’t count exam weeks. I love school, don’t get me wrong- but as the weather gets nicer and nicer, it just gets harder and harder to stay inside and study.

I’ve actually already started my summer internship. I’m interning in a microbiology lab halfway between my house and campus, and, if you’ve read any of my blogs thus far, you should be inferring that I’m enjoying the experiences there. And that inference is correct. I’m learning a lot of new lab techniques, and everyone is so nice that I’ve already made some new friends.

So I guess what I’m saying is that I’m excited for summer. But, then again, I’ll be sad when this school year ends. As I said before, most of my friends are seniors, so they’ll be graduating and moving on to bigger and better things come this May, which will make for a strange school year for me next year. I have a feeling we will all be getting pretty sentimental in these coming weeks.

This weekend, my high school presented their annual spring musical. This year, the show was “White Christmas.” As I sat there in the audience watching eagerly as the cast members tap danced to songs like “I Love a Piano” and acted out some pretty powerful romantic scenes, I started thinking about how fast life goes. I graduated from high school just three years ago, yet I only knew the seniors in the show. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was on that stage playing twelve-year-old Agnes in my last high school musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

So if my rambling here means anything to you, then great. If not, I’ll try to sum it up here: even though these last few weeks may seem daunting and difficult, and even though motivating yourself to do your homework amidst the glorious preview of summer weather may seem nearly impossible, college truly will be over before we know if, so we need to savor every sweet moment we have.

The blog prompt about the for the week of March 18th was about summer plans and such.  I am graduating on May 18th and am going to spend the summer in St. Louis.  I am going to be Assistant Directing a show called The Cherry Sisters with R-S Theatrics.  I am also taking a play writing workshop through Fontbonne’s on campus theatre company Mustard Seed Theatre.

I don’t know what life will be like after graduation. My fiance’s job got transferred to Dallas, TX. I guess that means I will eventually go as well.  I love St. Louis and have lived here all my life. Change is hard. But it will definitely be a new adventure!

Hey all!! This week I have been celebrating my birthday week! My 22nd birthday is on Saturday, October 27! I am going to be honest, I kinda forgot about my birthday because sooo much is going on as the Art Show gets closer and closer.  The show is November 19, by the way. I hope to see everyone there!! Anyway, I am getting more excited as the weekend approaches. My best friend Jeannette shares her birthday with me, so it is so much fun. We have been giving each other little gifts each day, along with countdown letters. It is awesome.

On Sunday, we had to jump start our birthday week, so we ventured into the greatness that is Whole Foods for a treat. I got a slice of Vegan Pumpkin Pie, and Jeannette picked two Tarts; Berry and Key Lime Pie.

They were delicious, thanks for asking.

Today my boyfriend CURTIS is visiting me for my birthday! I have not seen him, in ohh,,,lets see…. 67 days???!? No big deal, who’s counting anyway right?? We have celebrated 3 Kelia Birthdays together, but again, who’s counting? Me obviously.

Tonight is the Fall Masquerade Ball, where I will basically dance the night away and definitely be re-living my Senior prom. You guessed it, Curtis was my date,  same dress included.:) I CAN’T WAIT!!

Enjoy the weekend! I know I will!!

-Kelia

The number one question I get when I tell people I am getting my master’s in theatre education: Fontbonne has a theatre?

Why yes, yes they do, and the theatre is producing excellent pieces of work through student productions and through Mustard Seed Theatre. The upcoming student production is a show written by Sarah Kane and directed by Tricia Duffin: “Crave” is an intense and experimental piece that explores the yearning and the longing to form relationships and the forces that stop these relationships from working. read more. Please note that this production does contain adult themes and language.

The other response I get is, “Oh, I love going to see shows.” I should really go see one. Again, yes, yes you should go see a show. Did I mention that “Crave” is free to all Fontbonne students? In this economy, who can beat that? A FREE night of thought provoking entertainment. Right here on the Fontbonne campus.

“You get mixed messages because I have mixed feelings.”
― Sarah Kane, Crave

Well, another item has been checked off my Fontbonne to do list: See a play at the Black Box theatre. This Sunday I was able to see my first Fontbonne play, “A Piece of My Heart”, and I must say that I picked a winner. I laughed; I cried; I hardly fidgeted at all (and if you know me, you know that I am a diehard fidgeter).

“A Piece of My Heart” tells the story of 6 women who were involved in the Vietnam War – as nurses, officers, and entertainers of the troops. There was only one man involved to play the male roles, and all the women had to shift in and out of their main roles to voice the parts of “extra” characters, but the end performance was seamless. The stories were all intwined and engaging, and I was incredibly drawn in the entire time.

Overall, I must say I was very impressed with my first experience at the theatre, and I’m sure I will be back for another show!

(PS – shout out to my friend Erica Garcia, who did an amazing job!!! )

I graduated from Fontbonne in May 1998 with a B.A. in Communications and Theatre. I always kept in touch with Deanna Jent and in 2010, I decided to come back and get my Masters in Theatre Education.  I had worked in Corporate America for awhile and found it was not fulfilling for me. I thought back in my mind and in my heart and thought, what makes me happy, what is missing from my life? The answer was theatre.

This brings me to my present. I am still working 40 hours a week and going to school part time. I am not going to lie, it has been stressful, but it has been rewarding. I cannot wait to finish up my classes, I am eagerly awaiting my student teaching. I want to share with students, my passion and love for theatre. Even if they don’t necessarily end up loving it, I hope they can learn from it and have a newfound respect for it. To me, theatre is about being present in the moment, being mindful, being agents for change. I think the Fontbonne community is lucky have a great theatre department and access to one of the best professional theatre companies in St. Louis- Mustard Seed Theatre.

I do not know what the future holds, but I would like to teach theatre at the high school or college level. I would also like to start up my own theatre company. My solid education and experience at Fontbonne has given me the confidence to go out and pursue my dreams!

Fontbonne is blessed not only to have our student theatre department but also Mustard Seed Theatre, a professional company that performs out of our theatre. Since I am getting my master’s in theatre education, I know where the fine arts theatre is on the Fontbonne campus. However, I have had several students indicate to me they did not even know Fontbonne had a theatre. Well, kids, it’s time to do some exploring on campus, and go see Playland, the latest production from Mustard Seed Theatre.

Playland is visually beautiful; you are transported to an amusement park. But the three-character play is much more than that — it is a story of love, loss, guilt, forgiveness and hope. It is written by South African playwright Athol Fugard and is a piercing look at the effects of war and the struggle for redemption. “Playland” stars Charlie Barron and Eric Kilpatrick, and it is directed by Deanna Jent. It doesn contain adult language.

February 2-12
Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m.
(Pay what you can or pay with a can – Saturdays @ 2 p.m. – Reservations Required) Bring canned good and see the show for FREE!

To make reservations, call the Mustard Seed Theatre Box Office at:
314-719-8060

Christmas break was great, but I’m so happy to be back at Fontbonne. I had a fun, action-packed break, so bear with me for a little while because I just HAVE to tell you all about it.

I’m sure that most of you, by now, know that I love theatre. Over break, I was so happy because I was able to see two theatrical performances. I went to the newly-refurbished Peabody Opera House for the first time to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical,” which was a great representation of one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories.  I was also lucky enough to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which is always a treat.

In addition to going to Christmas Traditions in St. Charles in order to see my Fontbonne Theatre friend Ryan Cooper – errr, Jack Frost – I joined some friends from CAB and RHA who met up in the Griffin’s Nest to paint.  Make sure to take a trip up there to see the improvements.

Break was great, but I’m happy to be back.  I have a full semester, complete with Organic Chemistry 2, Anatomy and Physiology 2, Kinesiology, Genetics, Department Research, and Oral Interpretation (for my theatre minor).  Yep, I’ll be busy, but isn’t that the fun of it all?!

I’ve worked in the entertainment department at Six Flags St. Louis for 3 years now, and boy, has it been a blast. This year, however, is my very first year working Fright Fest. Fright Fest is basically exactly what it sounds like, scary attractions and themes the park adds around Halloween time. This Fright Fest has been a blast so far, and I definitely recommend everyone visit the park sometime during the next month before Six Flags closes for the winter. The shows this year at Fright Fest are especially fantastic! I am in the show “Love at First Fright,” which takes place 3 times a day Friday-Sunday at the Palace Theatre. This show is super fun and enjoyable for people of all ages! Another show you definitely want to check out is “Dead Man’s Party,” which takes place outside the Palace Theatre on the Palace Porch. The show consists of 8 very talented/creepy ladies who dance the night away to some entertaining, hard core music. They will blow you away with their awesome choreography and creepy disposition. Those are just a couple of the amazing shows and attractions that Fright Fest has to offer this season at Six Flags St. Louis. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this Fright Fest! You might be scared, but you won’t be sorry!

Fright Fest at Six Flags St Louis occurs every weekend through October:
Fridays: 6:00-11:00
Saturdays: 12:00-11:00
Sundays: 12:00-8:00
Hope to see you there! :]

In the past few days, I’ve been loving the fact that I live in Saint Louis.

Here’s why:

1.  It’s been 80+ degrees this whole week, and will stay like this for a few more days!

Normally, I hate fall because I know that its dropping temps are just the beginning of the insufferable winter.  This fall, though, I’ve been able to keep wearing my shorts and t-shirts into October!

2.  Cardinal. Baseball.

I’m writing this the day after the Cards defeated the Phillies in the 5-game series, and it was super exciting.  Honestly, I didn’t think they’d be able to do it, and I’m still not sure that they’re going to win against the Brewers, but we’ll see.  Also, the squirrel that ran across the field in game 4 was priceless.  I’ve seen birds fly around in the stadium, but never a squirrel!

3. The Muny.  (the city’s outdoor theatre)

The 2012 Muny season was just announced at exactly 9:00 this morning – and it’s really, really good.  They’re doing Aladdin, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pirates! (which is a revamped Pirates of Penzance), DreamGirls, and a few others (like JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT!) .  Every summer, I sit in the free seats and go to at least one performance of every show (but sometimes I go more than once – I saw Showboat three times a few years ago, and this past year, I saw Bye Bye Birdie twice.)  I can’t wait until summer!

So…that’s why I love Saint Louis.