Chi Town!

Chicago was such a great city! It was definitely feeling like winter...very cold. Erik came to visit me, and we got gluten free pasta at





We had a taping early in the next morning on Chicago WGN.




When Erik saw the show I took him backstage and he got to see the Bourbon Room up close!




I got to take a modern class at the famous Hubbard Street Dance Center! I have really missed taking class...I needed that!





Shannon, Shawn, Misha, and Ben came to see me! It was great to go to dinner and catch up! We got famous Chicago style pizza but I couldn't eat it so I watched ha!




Lauren happened to be in Chicago at the same time, so I got to see her and baby on the way!

Durham, North Carolina

What a week it's been! We've been staying in amazing condominiums in Durham, which is so nice to have a kitchen and a living room! The week started off in the high 70's then quickly dropped to the low 40's in a day!

Erik and his mom came to visit me! it was so great to see them, especially my boo. His mom took us to breakfast the first day they were here. They got see our opening night in Durham. I could see their smiling, proud faces watching. It was nice to have people I love in the audience that night. Erik and I then went to an opening night party where he got to meet the cast.
Erik came again to the show on Wednesday when he had Patrick in for Stacee Jaxx, so it was cool for Erik to get to see two different versions of the show.




Erik also sent me amazing flowers and a card, which made all the girls in my dressing room jealous!





Last night, we threw a surprise birthday party for Joey! Katie and Alyssa made cake and had balloons! It was fun to get to celebrate with the cast.

Also a big shout out to Joey and Patty who both went on to understudy this week. So proud of you boys! You are so professional and killed it onstage!

Next: Halloween in NEW ORLEANS!!!!

Philly...

This week, we've been in Philadelphia! What a beautiful city! The first day we were here, Lisa and I went into the city. I met lisa's best friend from home, Rosie. She was awesome! Showed us around the area and shopped. The following day we met up with some friends from lisa's school, one of which was an old friend I used to do theatre with in Arizona! it was so great to see Mike when the last time I saw him was over 10 years ago.





Our shows have been going really well! Wednesday night, Mandy Moore the choreographer came to see us. I got to meet her after, and she was absolutely amazing. She loved the show and said I was fierce! That definitely was a moment I'll never forget.

Friday night we had a pretty crazy crowd. There's a part in the show where I have to bend over and pull a cord from an amp with my rear in the audience's face, and this guy was like, "Yeah, give it to me!". Only this show would have Audience members like that, just fearless.





Yesterday, I got to teach a master class at a dance studio representing the show as dance captain. I taught a number from the show and then had a Q & A session with the kids. It was so surreal to be answering their questions and having them look up to me. I feel like it was yesterday I was in their shoes taking a workshop and wishing to be like the teacher one day. It was a very proud yet humbling moment for me. Something I've dreamed for a very long time. I hope to be able to inspire more kids to live their dreams with these classes.





Between shows yesterday, Lisa introduced me to Rita's. This AMAZING Italian ice place. I had mango Italian ice with custard. DElicious!

Last night's show was insanity. We had some drunk women in the front just acting like they were in their own world. It was a sight to see for sure. Now on to Durham North Carolina where Erik is coming to see the show! So excited!

Morgantown...Ashland...Buffalo...Schenectady in one week!!!

This week has been nuts! we had our first all nighter first staying the night in Morgantown, WV then headed to Ashland, KY for one show on a Wednesday night. It was a small intimate theatre which was fun to play. The cast and band got mobbed at the stage door! It was crazy!



After Ashland, we drove to Buffalo to stay the night at the best hotel yet! we stayed at the Hyatt that had an awesome indoor pool! it was the best night sleep I had gotten in awhile cuz our room was beautiful! Lisa and I had a chill night with room service and a bottle of Chardonnay!



Next was Schenectady which is where I am now! we're here for the weekend at the Proctor's theatre. This city is CRAZY! Our Friday night show was the best audience ever. They laughed and cheered at everything! It was the best way to start the weekend here.


Lisa and I have our own dressing room, and we have so much fun together! Today, we played some great 90s tunes on Pandora while we were getting ready. Tonight's show was the most insane show yet. The audience was singing every song, being super obnoxious and loud, and decided to join the cast onstage during curtain call. Some people were even escorted out because they were being drunk and belligerent. It was definitely a night to remember! It reminds me how much fun this show is and no other show has an audience like the one tonight!



So grateful! Two more shows tomorrow then PHILLY!!!

Morgantown...Ashland...Buffalo...Schenectady in one week!!!

This week has been nuts! we had our first all nighter first staying the night in Morgantown, WV then headed to Ashland, KY for one show on a Wednesday night. It was a small intimate theatre which was fun to play. The cast and band got mobbed at the stage door! It was crazy!



After Ashland, we drove to Buffalo to stay the night at the best hotel yet! we stayed at the Hyatt that had an awesome indoor pool! it was the best night sleep I had gotten in awhile cuz our room was beautiful! Lisa and I had a chill night with room service and a bottle of Chardonnay!



Next was Schenectady which is where I am now! we're here for the weekend at the Proctor's theatre. This city is CRAZY! Our Friday night show was the best audience ever. They laughed and cheered at everything! It was the best way to start the weekend here.


Lisa and I have our own dressing room, and we have so much fun together! Today, we played some great 90s tunes on Pandora while we were getting ready. Tonight's show was the most insane show yet. The audience was singing every song, being super obnoxious and loud, and decided to join the cast onstage during curtain call. Some people were even escorted out because they were being drunk and belligerent. It was definitely a night to remember! It reminds me how much fun this show is and no other show has an audience like the one tonight!



So grateful! Two more shows tomorrow then PHILLY!!!

Family....

Opening Night was a success! The shows having been going so well and the audience absolutely loves it! The audience is the absolute best part of the show. I get teary eyed every time we get to "Don't Stop Believin" because the audience is on their feet without fail every show. Every night we do a circle with the cast while someone speaks to get us pumped up for the show. My favorite one was what Shannon said on opening night. She said to do the show for all the people in the audience that look at us and hope they can be doing we do. it reminded me how I used to be that audience member growing up and wishing to be onstage. Thank you Shannon for those words because I will carry them with me for every show.



My family came this weekend to see the show, and they loved the show. I was worried about what my parents were going to think of me being a stripper and wearing minimal clothing but my dad assured me to just be the best stripper I can be. It was such a dream come true for them to come see me in the show, and I can't wait for them to come back!



I forgot to mention in my last blog all the amazing gifts I got on opening night! The entire cast got rock of ages hoodies! Kate gave us bourbon room glasses. shannon got us awesome shower gel and glitter from lush. Katie and Alyssa puff painted rock of ages on boy underwear. Dom and Nolan gave me really sweet cards. Patrick gave rock of ages pins and candy! And best of all, Erik and my parents each sent me beautiful flowers! Thank you for all the love!
Next is one show in Ashland Kentucky!!

Opening NIGHT!!!!!!

Opening night was everything I've ever dreamed my whole life as a performer! We had an understudy rehearsal in the afternoon then got ready for the show at night. Backstage there are murals of all the past shows that have performed at the Providence Performing Arts Center, and it hit me that I am now a part of this caliber of performers. it's such an amazing feeling.
The show itself went amazingly! the audience was completely full and it really feels like a never-ending group of people. Its the most surreal feeling to perform to that many people.



After the show, there was a small get together at the theatre, which was nice. Then there was a party at the restaurant in our hotel. It was so nice to finally celebrate our hard work in that one historical night.
I have never felt so happy in my life to be a part of something like this. It is rare to be in a show where every single person involved is kind, supportive, talented, and hardworking. I am beyond proud of this show, and I never take for granted any single moment. This year is probably going to be one of the best years of my life, and I'm so excited it officially started on opening night!!!


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Previews....Quick Like Bunnies

Friday and Saturday were our official preview nights of the show. They both went really well. Kelly Devine, the original choreographer, came to our show Friday night, which was a dream come true. I've auditioned for her two times before for Rock of Ages and it was such an honor to be able to dance for her in the show onstage. She came by on Friday and gave us a great motivational talk about the show which made our Saturday show amazing. After the show, there was a party for the cast and crew at this really cool restaurant/bar. It was a lot of fun getting to hang with everyone after a long week of rehearsals.
On Sunday, we shot footage for local commercials and also took pictures for promotional stuff. We were all incredibly tired but had a great time messin around for the shoot.
On Monday morning, we left for Providence! It was a long drive, and everyone was pretty grumpy. I was on one hour of sleep because I was doing laundry until three in the morning. it was a great bus trip nevertheless!




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Fiestas and Dress Rehearsals!

The past few days have been crazy! On Sunday, Alyssa and Katie hosted a fiesta on our day off in their room! It was so much fun. Everyone made stuff for the party including guacamole, salsa, enchiladas, rice etc. We played some fun games like a cookie race! You put a cookie on your forehead and see who can eat the cookie the fastest without using your hands. it was so funny to watch everyone try to move the cookie just using their faces. We also did LIMBO! I haven't done that since I was like 12 and it was a hit! It was down to me and Shannon but Shannon was the ultimate champion! Such a fun night with the cast.
Today we had our first dress rehearsal and it surprisingly went smoothly! the past few days have been hard because we've had to stop a lot, but miraculously today, everything went accordingly! I have a million costume changes in the second half (some of which are just during a blackout) but once I get used to them the show is going to be so much fun. After rehearsal, some of the cast went to eat at a diner. We were the only ones there and had a great time laughing together.
Tomorrow is our last dress rehearsal then onto previews! so excited to get this show on the road cuz we are dominating!!!!

A little less new and a lot more YORK!

It's been a LONG week of tech rehearsals but never a dull moment! A couple nights ago, we celebrated Tami's birthday (our hair and make up girl)! It was really fun to wish her a happy birthday at rehearsal!
Yesterday, we all got to try on our wigs, make up and costumes! It was so exciting to see everyone's character come to life! it was definitely one of the highlights of the week. For me, it feels weird to have long hair again because it's been two years, but it is great to be able to whip my hair around!
Today, we did another run thru of the show and cleaned it a lot. We also got to celebrate Chris' birthday today with pie! Although the day feels long when we have to stop and start the show so much, it's the best time to bond with the cast, which is my favorite part!
Day off tomorrow, and were having a fiesta with the cast!!! Can't wait!

Heaven Isn't Too Far Away...

Yesterday was our first day of tech rehearsals in York, Pennsylvania! We drove to York from NYC and got our rooms at the hotel in the afternoon. I have the coolest roommate ever, miss Lisa! We get along really well and have great talks! We're definitely going to have a great year together. Then, me and the girls went to the grocery store to stock up on stuff for the next two weeks. We had rehearsal at night working on the poles and staging some of the show. It was so much fun teaching people pole tricks. the poles themselves are nothing like real pole dancing poles, but I was surprised at how much I could still do on them. I taught a lot of the boys how to do handsprings, and the girls how to spin. I probably played on the poles for two hours and got a nice juicy blister to show for it on my hand. Although it was a little painful getting back up on the pole, it felt great to use my arms again!
Besides being on the stage, getting to see the stage for the first time was INCREDIBLE! As soon as we all walked out on stage to see the set, we all just stood in amazement and excitement. It was a truly memorable moment to see our show come to life and become our new home.. It still doesn't feel real to me and probably won't until our first preview.
Today was day two of tech. We continued staging the show and the musical numbers. It was pretty similar to day 1 just longer. After rehearsal, Lisa and I hung out with some of the cast in one of their rooms and played Phase 10. I thought I was going to be really good at it because I am a gin rummy master, but I sucked! I only got to phase 5 while everyone else is on phase 7! I'll get my revenge! nevertheless, it was a really fun time with the cast just hangin out! PS sorry your blog got deleted Katie and glad you wrote a new one!
Tomorrow morning gym with the boys! lLets do this!

When in Doubt, TIP!

I haven't posted in a few days because life has been a little busy, but today was my birthday so it's essential I post something. We''ve been doing full run thrus of the show the past few days, and it is the best! The show is hilarious, fast paced, and so entertaining. I can't wait for my friends and family to come see it! Yesterday, Kelly Devine, the original choreographer of the show came to watch some of our rehearsal, which was AMAZING! I'm such a fan of her work, and it was an honor to get to dance for her!
After 14 days of rehearsal, today was our very last one before we start tech rehearsals in York, Pennsylvania! Rehearsal today was awesome because it was my birthday! Kate brought me little gluten free cakes, and everyone sang to me! It was bittersweet to wrap up our journey in NY, but I'm ready for the next step!
When I got home, I opened my presents from my parents, Erik, Misha, and Ben! I got lots of really great things! Misha even made me a gluten free ginger cake from scratch that was decorated in zebra print. Even though I couldn't spend my day with my boo, I still had an amazing day!
The ensemble girls and I joke that whenever were in doubt of how were supposed to walk onstage, we just tip! Thus the reason for my title today! I knew LA would come in handy for something! Yes girls....TIP! YORK here we COME!

The Final Countdown....

We finished the show today!!! I'm so proud of our entire cast for learning so much material in so little time! I'm even more thankful for the amazing creative team that we have and their positive energy. Today we finished 'Don't Stop Believin' and ran through the entire second act. For learning the 2nd half out of order, I think we did a really great job! It was also Kate's (our company manager) birthday, so we got to celebrate at lunch!
After lunch, we headed to the recording studio again to record vocals. It was much less stressful than yesterday, which was nice. All of us girls were in one room together singing, and it was a blast! Lots of good times and giggles in there...haha! We also had some fun telling silly jokes during our breaks today. Overall, a tip top day!
Now, it is the Final Countdown until tech rehearsals! Gettin ready for an awesome run through tomorrow of the whole show!

Hit Me With Your Best Shot....

Looooooooong day today, but I loved every second of it! We started the day learning 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot'. Then we did a fun prom, couples type number where we slow dance the whole time. Shout out to Chris for being an AMAZING lifter! We had some good laughs during that one ;) Last, we learned a good chunk of 'Don't Stop Believin'. We put the rest of what we didn't finish on hold for tomorrow...so excited to finish the show! I can't believe we're in the last week of rehearsals...it's already going by so fast!
After the first half of rehearsal, the ensemble went to lunch together before going to the recording studio to record the back up vocals for the show! It totally felt like right out of a movie. The girls had their own mics while the boys shared theirs, which means were going to flip flop tomorrow and the girls will all be on the same mic. It was fun to start piecing the music together and even more exciting to record something in a studio for my first time ever! it was also really good bonding time with the ensemble, which I loved! I LOVE this cast so very much it's crazy. Everyone is incredibly nice, and it is so great to come to rehearsal never wanting to leave.
Overall today was a great day! Another shout out to Mark for reading my blog, and thanks for coming to the recording studio with us!

It Goes On and On and On and OoOon....

Today was one of the best rehearsals I've had thus far. We staged the lap dance scene and 'Every Rose'. Then we learned 'Oh Sherrie' which is hilarious! We're literally just running around the stage singing. At lunch, we celebrated Matt Ban's birthday with cake and ice cream! Dom serenaded Matt a creative and original birthday song...lots of good laughs there.
After lunch we reviewed and sang the entire show in four hours, and we killed it! we all did our homework, and it definitely showed. I was dreading that part of the day the most, and it was probably the funniest part of rehearsal I've had. We were all just delirious at that point, so it mad out to be a really good time! Now, I have a day off for tomorrow, so I'm gonna catch up with friends in the city, and chill with my sister! One more week left in New York!

Any Way You Want It...

Wow....what a day! It started off jam packed with vocals, and we officially finished learning music for the entire show! It took a little over a week, which is nuts! Apparently this is the fastest any cast has learned the music for this show, and I'm very proud of all of us! Then, we started blocking Act II with 'The Final Countdown'. Learning that dance, being connected to three girls by a chain, while worrying about vocals and spacing was a little crazy...but fun! After that, we learned 'Any Way You Want It,' which is the stripper pole scene....woohoo! I can't wait until we get the poles, so I can practice! Then we ended the rehearsal learning choreo for a lap dance number with the boys....that was very interesting but actually super fun! Thanks, Danny, for making it comfortable for me! Definitely a fun one for my parents to see....NOT!
All in all it was a really fun and exciting day. I think the highlight was being on a packed subway with Patrick, and our only means of balance was by just touching the ceiling! ha...thanks for the laughs! Oh how I love NY!

Here I Go Again On My Own....

Here I go again on my own....What an appropriate title for today! I said goodbye to Erik this morning, which was hard because I won't see him for another month and a half. The good thing was I had a really fun rehearsal today! Started with vocals then finished being a stripper. My LA background came in handy today because we did a lot of tipping...haha! After that number, we learned the finale for Act 1. That number is SO fun because the whole cast is on stage, and it adds a lot of energy to the song! Throughout the show, the ensemble girls have been teasing that eAch of us have our trashy moments with Stacee, and mine was definitely in this last number....can't wait for my family to see it hahaha. Lastly, we did a full run through of act 1 and it was incredible! There's still some work to be done, but we're really making headway. At the end of rehearsal, it was announced that I'm going to be dance captain, which is such an amazing honor! it's going to be a lot of hard work, but I'm ready for the challenge! The rest of the night from the moment I got home to now was devoted to rehearsing.
I also found out today that a lot of people are reading my blog! Shout Out to STEPHEN! Muah! Act 2 starts tomorrow! Woohoo!

Come On Feel the Noize...

And so another day of vocals, staging and choreography! My brain is starting to get a little fried, so I'm reviewing like CRAZY! Erik dropped me off at rehearsal while he took some classes at BDC. We had a full morning of vocals then went right into staging. Did lots of 'loving' and 'touching' in 'I Wanna Know What Love Is'. Got to rock out in slow mo for half of a number, which was tons of fun! Then ended the day being a STRIPPER! Hahaha oh how I love this show!
After rehearsal, Erik and I had a nice date then tried to make it to Ben's football game. All in all, it was a really great day! Sad that Erik is leaving tomorrow but needing to buckle down and get this show on lock!!

I Wanna Know What Love Is....

Jumped right back into the swing of things today with vocals this morning. I got to spend my lunch break with Erik today, which was a nice change to my normal days. We learned the "Dead or Alive" number after lunch as well as "I Wanna Know What Love Is". "Dead or Alive" is such a fun and crazy number. It's just over the top with grinding on the floor and rubbing up on Stacee Jaxx. Definitely going to be an entertaining one to do onstage, and I'm sure my parents will LOVE watching me dance so provocatively.
After rehearsal, Erik and I walked FOREVER in the pouring rain to have dinner with some of the cast. We had a great time laughing about funny stories from rehearsal while eating some amazing food where Joey's dad works at as a pit master! It was nice for Erik to get to meet some of the people I've been raving about for the past week, and they made him feel very welcome :)

I Wanna Rock!!

Today I had a day off of rehearsals for Labor Day! Rehearsal yesterday was so much fun! We did a lot of head banging for "I Wanna Rock.". I get to be a music video ho, which is always fun. We also did "We're Not Gonna Take It.". I get to be a 'broken doll' and do a lot of bouncing. At the end of rehearsal we did an entire run thru of everything we've learned so far, and the show is such a rush! I'm definitely going to LOVE doing this show every night, and I can't wait to learn more! We officially have learned all of the music for the 1st half of the show, and this week we'll be learning the second half.
Erik got in last night too! We had dinner last night then walked around the city a bit. This morning we went to breakfast and did some grocery shopping. Then we got tickets and saw "Priscella Queen of the Desert.". I was really excited to see it because Misha's friend (one of my idols) Nick Adams was in it. He was absolutely incredible. He is the epitome of a triple threat and one of the best dancers I know. I hope to be as good as him one day. Overall, it's been a great two days! Back to the grind tomorrow!

Motorin....

Makin headway with the show today! More singing and LOTS more choreography. Definitely hard singing AND dancing my face off at the same time. Had some good bonding time with cast at lunch in the afternoon playing akinator and getting to know one another. It's kind of weird how comfortable around each other we already are....probably because we're groping, touching, and kissing each other on stage all the time. Nevertheless, it was a hard working, good, sweaty day, and I can't wait for tomorrow!!! Still get goosebumps during the day by everyone's amazing talent. Definitely a grateful girl :)

This Must Be Just Like Livin in Paradise...

Today was more music and blocking/choreography for the opening number! Music is always fun....we're learning ROA lingo like "stank face," Big Effin Neil Diamonds, and speaking 80's tongue. Then we moved on to blocking. The opening number is so much fun! I also had my costume fitting which was AMAZING! I have some pretty crazy costumes including a Britney spears school girl outfit, pink bathing suit, fringe, and plenty of lingerie. Then we learned some dances, which were SEXY! danced with rags, chairs, boys...like the song says, it "ain't nothin but a good time!" Besides all of that, I am LOVING this cast and production team! Everyone is so great. it's only been two days, and I already feel like were a family. And after all of the stuff we learned today, this show is going to be SICK! The first time the cast sang together gave me goosebumps. This is going to be one awesome ride this year and I'm so proud to be a part of it.

1st Rehearsal

I had an amazing 1st day today with the cast! I got to meet and mingle with everyone for a bit in the morning and then got crackin on rehearsal. let me just say how absolutely TALENTED this group is. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many gifted people. every single person can sing their face off, and I was blown away within the first hour of listening to everyone's vocals. All I can say is wow!!! the professionalism and passion in the room was palpable. It was A LOT of information, but it's going to be a blast practicing because this music never gets old. even though we just skimmed the surface of vocals today, I am already feelin the pressure, but I'm ready to work hard. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings :)

Night Before 1st Rehearsal....

Tomorrow I start my first rehearsal for "Rock of Ages.". I can't believe it's finally here! This has been a dream of mine since I saw my first Broadway tour of "Big" when I was a little girl. Countless nights I've stayed awake wishing to be in an amazing show like this one. Of any show out there, this has been my goal and motivation for the past two years, and I am now so very fortunate to have received such a wonderful gift. I decided to start a blog to write down my adventures to come on this amazing journey I'm about to embark on. So for all of you Rock fans, "Don't Stop Believin" because dreams DO come true. a moment to remember....Let's Rock!!!!!