Student Blog: Summer Stock: OKLAHOMA!

Summer stock offers a great opportunity to branch out and try new locations, theatres, and shows!  For example, my sister is performing in Beehive right in Ohio and her boyfriend is in Kansas for both Hello Dolly and Bright Star.  I have had the opportunity to perform in Oklahoma! in North Dakota with Frost Fire Theatre.  Currently, we are wrapping up tech week and will open on Saturday, June 29!  The whole process has taught me a lot about balance and the value of soaking up as much knowledge from others as much as possible.  North Dakota may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I have already had one of the most fulfilling summers.

I was struggling this past spring with finding internships for the summer.  I knew I was not ready to be super far from home, but I knew I wanted something I could learn a lot from.  I did not think doing a show was an option, considering I am not a musical theatre major, but Frost Fire just came up as a great opportunity.  What I have loved is that not everyone has a BFA in theatre.  A few did study theatre, but the rest of the cast comes from an assortment of backgrounds which allows me to learn something different from each person.

We have rehearsed for the past three weeks and will have 18 performances throughout June.  The rehearsals have been in the evening, so that leaves me to entertain myself for the first part of the day.  What I did not mention before was that I am living in the town my parents grew up in, so it is a very nostalgic place for me.  They grew up doing high school summer theatre and so, I have volunteered to assist with the same program they did (it is called SPA).  I spend the first half of my day assisting with choreography for their production of Grease and will then run over to my own rehearsals.  I have loved being on both sides of the production process, I think it is an essential component for all aspiring actors.

Oklahoma! is not that wild regarding physicality.  It is mostly a stand-and-sing show with some movement, but then there is a literal 15-minute ballet in the middle and that has tested my endurance.  My part in the ballet is mostly a saloon girl and I love our choreographer, Veronica Folkedahl, but she put 59 kicks into a five-minute period while in heels, following a quick change.  Safe to say, I wake up incredibly sore every day.  My go-to remedies have been both Advil and Tylenol plus an Icy Hot balm for sore joints and muscles.  I also make sure to move every morning, whether that be walking, biking, or the gym (which is usually the shortest upper-body workout).  I have also discovered all of my dance teachers are right: stretching every day is super helpful.  It helps to relieve some pain but also to ensure I am warm enough every day to endure the entire show.

Although we have not even opened the show, I have already taken so much from this experience.  I love everyone who is working on the show and I have loved the entire process of putting it all together.  Some nights have been very late and have felt very long, but that is what makes me appreciate all of the hard work.  It will be interesting to see what comes up throughout these next 18 performances. ;)

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