Long Time No...

OK, let's get this out of the way...Sorry I haven't posted in weeks upon weeks! The end of last term was hellish, to say the least and then I was running around Europe with my mom, and then I was in Seattle for 10 days. So, those are my excuses. I'll try and catch up...

Like I said, the end of last term was a swift kick in the you know what. Fen went wonderfully and was really well received. We were proud of the work that we had done as a company and Rhys, our director and head of year, put together a beautiful show. It was, for me, the most difficult play I have ever come across. Everything seemed to come late to me - the accent, the understanding of my text, the physicality and generally, the feel of it all. It was a true challenge.

We then had a week of radio training in which we learned the ins and outs of radio drama - something which is not very big in the States but over here in good 'ole Blighty, they are crazy about it! Everyone listens to the radio for pleasure, not just for killing time whilst stuck in traffic. It's a great medium and I would love to really get involved in it as a career. We shall see...

Then, Mama Katz showed up and we ran off to Paris for three days. That was a blast! We stayed in a cute little hotel in Montmartre, shopped, ate and did some sightseeing. My French came flooding back to me and I was psyched that I was able to get around and chat with the Frenchies with no problem. A big merci to Madame Potts and Dr. DeGisi at Cherry Hill HS West! :)
I then, being the jetsetter that I am, flew off to Seattle for 10 days. I had so much fun catching up with so many people (apologies to those that I wasn't able to see - sincerely). It made me realize what good friends I truly had made over the 4 years that I was there. Even though Seattle may not have been the ideal location for me, the people that are in my life because of my living there mean all the world to me. Thanks to everyone who took time out to hang with moi, it meant a lot.

And now I am back to the school grind. Last week was a great first week back. We had an all-school meeting on Monday for updates on every program. We then found out which productions we would be working on for this term. One group is doing a play called The Young and Fair and MY group is doing The Laramie Project. I am so excited about doing this show. I have wanted to do it for some time - I think it's a really important piece. I now have to start working on my American accent. Crap. Ha! The rest of the week was what was called, "professionalization." This was where professionals from all parts of the industry came and talked to us about their specialties. We had agents, directors, casting directors, working graduates of East 15, people who started their own theatre companies and a woman in the voice over biz. It was wonderful. It was so valuable and useful, I can't even tell you. Oh, and I definitely feel more professional. ;)

I also forgot to mention that the fist weekend that I was back I saw two great shows - Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo at the National Theatre with Zoe Wanamaker (Madame Hooch in the HP movies!) and an all-Indian version of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Roundhouse Theatre. Both were interesting and compelling to watch. Ah, a day of good theatre...there is nothing better.













And perhaps most importantly of all, it is my esteemed honor to welcome baby Miyuki Audrey Katano Smith into this world...we were all waitin' for ya kiddo. Mimi & Philip, I love you very much. :)