As of today, it has been exactly one month since I started working for this tour. A month ago, I was starting rehearsals and trying to grasp the idea of me touring and performing. If you would have told me that I would be doing this right after college, then I would have told you that you were crazy but here I am! And in this one month, I have learned ALOT already.
In this month, I have been to Minneapolis, Topeka, Atlanta, Montgomery, Ft. Lauderdale and now I am in Orlando. I went to Universal Studios where Harry Potter world is and even though I have never read a single word or seen a movie, it was pretty freakin awesome. And yesterday I went to Sea World and that was cool. I took some pictures of manatees and penguins and saw a dolphin show. It was a good two days off but times like these sort of make me miss California, even though I am NOT missing the heat wave.
Some days are good, some days are bad and some days I have to remind myself that I am fortunate. And I know I am, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I have the tendency to lose sight of that and need reminders every now and then. Most of you know that struggle with perfection and always wanting to be the best that I can be with anything that I do and with this, you can't expect perfection right away. I constantly have to remind myself that I have never done something like this before and that I need to have patience and learn to RELAX and not stress myself out. Easier said than done.
Today, I had a reminder of why I am here. I did a publicity event with another cast member and we went to a school today for promotion. it was AMAZING. I walk in as Elmo and the other cast member as Cookie Monster and there were about 200+ kids and teachers in a cafeteria and they all went NUTS. It was awesome. We were running around giving high fives, waving and sort of hugging and just goofing around and it occurred to me as I was in costume running around mad that seeing those kids smiling and waving like crazy and chanting "Elmo, Elmo..." over and over again was an amazing feeling that I didn't really want to go away. Granted, I was huffing and puffing but I am doing what I've always wanted to do. I'm making money, supporting myself, seeing the country, and most importantly, I get to entertain and perform, and for kids for that matter. I never thought I would be playing Elmo, but I am doing it. And I can't wait to see what the next 10 months have in store for me.
Sometimes my insecurities set in and it takes a while to get out of that funk, but I remind myself that I am doing something pretty awesome. And today was a reminder of it.
I also have to remind myself that I am 22 years old, and that I just graduated college and I still have a lot to learn about myself and that things aren't going to be perfect all the time (which is hard for me) and that when the timing is right, everything will fall into place. You just have to keep the faith and keep believing in yourself that you have something to give.
That's it for now. Sorry if this was a little too soap boxy but I promise the next post won't be as bad. And I'll post pictures of Harry Potter World for all you wierdos :)
-Frannie
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
the long awaited update...but not really...
here's another update for all of you impatient people...aka Elysse. and yes, I just named dropped.
So we opened officially last Friday, September 10th and it was really cool! The last two weeks have been nonstop because the production period was so fast but now that we are officially on the road, I'm beginning to get a better picture of what my life will be like for the next 10 months now.
We were in Topeka for a week and then we flew to Atlanta on Monday and arrived around 5pm. That plane ride was interesting because we had to do an emergency landing in Memphis so we were delayed for a good time. I was really excited to get off the plane and get to the hotel which is in downtown atlanta. Atlanta has been treating us well. Let's just say that it was ALOT better than Topeka hahaha. I went to a puppetry museum on Tuesday and it was really cool because they had a Jim Henson exhibit so we got to see how he started making all the muppets and apparently, the lady who voiced Abby Cadabby has a workshop going on all weekend so we are hoping that she can stop by the show and see it. On wednesday, I also went to the Atlanta Braves game to get my sports on because you all know i'm a huge sports fanatic. hahaha not really but i wanted to go to a baseball game. I also went to the Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm game last night because they were in the semi finals and had a playoff game at the Philips arena which is the same place where we are playing and we got to sit in a box which was sweet!
Part of being tour is also doing publicity events as well. So sometimes I get to do meet and greets before shows and take pictures with certain people who purchase certain tickets. We also do personal meet and greets which is where someone has family in town and they ask you personally if you can do a meet and greet for them. Now in some cities, we have "pub events," or calls we make for a newspaper interview. If we have early morning "pubs" that usually means we have to be up in the morning to go to a news station and promote the show. Most of the time we get to help out the weatherman and goof around on stage. I got to do that twice but my call this week for the early morning pub was 4:15 AM and then I had rehearsal at 3pm so I definitely slept in between. Those are fun though because we get to be on TV and be on an actual news station! Especially with playing Elmo, he does ALOT of events but luckily, we rotate Elmo meaning that myself and the two other smalls (the girls who play Abby and Zoe) can fit in the costume and do all the other events so I don't have to do like 10 in one week and tire myself out.
We have two shows today, and start our three day shows tomorrow and then two shows on sunday and then we're off to Alabama. One thing that I am realizing quickly is how much stamina I need for these shows because it is ALOT of work but I am lucky enough to have awesome people who know what they're doing and are willing to help out the newbie in the group. I think I have to start going to the gym for at least 20 minutes a day when I have the time and when I don't have shows so I can build it up. I am for sure getting a workout :)
I miss california and its food though. I could really use some in and out and carne asada fries so if you're interested in sending me some let me know! Also, if you would like to be generous and send me gifts or care packages or letters to read, I will love you forever. Just let me know and I can send you where I will be and the address to the hotel so they can hold the box (hint hint) for me. If you also want postcards, send me your address and I'll mail you one!
That's it for now. We start split weeks next week so I'll have less free time but I will update when I can. I'll be in Montgomery, AL for the first half of the week and then Ft. Lauderdale the second half of the week. YAY for traveling!
And i'll post pictures too when I have batteries for my camera :)
LOVE YOU ALL and thanks for reading!
Frannie
So we opened officially last Friday, September 10th and it was really cool! The last two weeks have been nonstop because the production period was so fast but now that we are officially on the road, I'm beginning to get a better picture of what my life will be like for the next 10 months now.
We were in Topeka for a week and then we flew to Atlanta on Monday and arrived around 5pm. That plane ride was interesting because we had to do an emergency landing in Memphis so we were delayed for a good time. I was really excited to get off the plane and get to the hotel which is in downtown atlanta. Atlanta has been treating us well. Let's just say that it was ALOT better than Topeka hahaha. I went to a puppetry museum on Tuesday and it was really cool because they had a Jim Henson exhibit so we got to see how he started making all the muppets and apparently, the lady who voiced Abby Cadabby has a workshop going on all weekend so we are hoping that she can stop by the show and see it. On wednesday, I also went to the Atlanta Braves game to get my sports on because you all know i'm a huge sports fanatic. hahaha not really but i wanted to go to a baseball game. I also went to the Atlanta Dream vs Seattle Storm game last night because they were in the semi finals and had a playoff game at the Philips arena which is the same place where we are playing and we got to sit in a box which was sweet!
Part of being tour is also doing publicity events as well. So sometimes I get to do meet and greets before shows and take pictures with certain people who purchase certain tickets. We also do personal meet and greets which is where someone has family in town and they ask you personally if you can do a meet and greet for them. Now in some cities, we have "pub events," or calls we make for a newspaper interview. If we have early morning "pubs" that usually means we have to be up in the morning to go to a news station and promote the show. Most of the time we get to help out the weatherman and goof around on stage. I got to do that twice but my call this week for the early morning pub was 4:15 AM and then I had rehearsal at 3pm so I definitely slept in between. Those are fun though because we get to be on TV and be on an actual news station! Especially with playing Elmo, he does ALOT of events but luckily, we rotate Elmo meaning that myself and the two other smalls (the girls who play Abby and Zoe) can fit in the costume and do all the other events so I don't have to do like 10 in one week and tire myself out.
We have two shows today, and start our three day shows tomorrow and then two shows on sunday and then we're off to Alabama. One thing that I am realizing quickly is how much stamina I need for these shows because it is ALOT of work but I am lucky enough to have awesome people who know what they're doing and are willing to help out the newbie in the group. I think I have to start going to the gym for at least 20 minutes a day when I have the time and when I don't have shows so I can build it up. I am for sure getting a workout :)
I miss california and its food though. I could really use some in and out and carne asada fries so if you're interested in sending me some let me know! Also, if you would like to be generous and send me gifts or care packages or letters to read, I will love you forever. Just let me know and I can send you where I will be and the address to the hotel so they can hold the box (hint hint) for me. If you also want postcards, send me your address and I'll mail you one!
That's it for now. We start split weeks next week so I'll have less free time but I will update when I can. I'll be in Montgomery, AL for the first half of the week and then Ft. Lauderdale the second half of the week. YAY for traveling!
And i'll post pictures too when I have batteries for my camera :)
LOVE YOU ALL and thanks for reading!
Frannie
Sunday, September 5, 2010
first week down!
Hi Everyone!
Sorry for the delay in my new blog. But here it is! You can follow my life for the next 11 months as I tour the country with Sesame Street Live.
So I left California last Sunday, August 29th and in a week, I've learned what it's going to be like on tour and I am pretty excited to start traveling and seeing all of the different cities. This tour is fast moving and our production period was VERY short. Only a week. And in that week, I learned the entire show, had costume fittings, learned how to "mech" which means I have a bike brake basically in my right hand and it moves the mouth of the costume character and basically that's where I see through. Unfortunately, I can't post any pictures right now but I will when I have the chance.
It was a bit overwhelming at first but I am starting to get the hang of it all and being one out of three new people with a cast of thirteen was a bit intimidating at first, but they have all been very helpful which is great.
On a good note, there has been some casting changes. I won't be playing the Abby Cadabby/Roxy track, but I will now be playing ELMO! And I know that everyone knows Elmo so I don't think anyone will have a problem figuring out what character I am like you guys did with Abby :)
That's it for now. I'm just relaxing and repacking because I'm off to Topeka, Kansas tomorrow for the week but I'll keep you all updated weekly, hopefully!
Thanks for reading and keep in touch. I like getting text messages :)
LOVE,
Frannie
Sorry for the delay in my new blog. But here it is! You can follow my life for the next 11 months as I tour the country with Sesame Street Live.
So I left California last Sunday, August 29th and in a week, I've learned what it's going to be like on tour and I am pretty excited to start traveling and seeing all of the different cities. This tour is fast moving and our production period was VERY short. Only a week. And in that week, I learned the entire show, had costume fittings, learned how to "mech" which means I have a bike brake basically in my right hand and it moves the mouth of the costume character and basically that's where I see through. Unfortunately, I can't post any pictures right now but I will when I have the chance.
It was a bit overwhelming at first but I am starting to get the hang of it all and being one out of three new people with a cast of thirteen was a bit intimidating at first, but they have all been very helpful which is great.
On a good note, there has been some casting changes. I won't be playing the Abby Cadabby/Roxy track, but I will now be playing ELMO! And I know that everyone knows Elmo so I don't think anyone will have a problem figuring out what character I am like you guys did with Abby :)
That's it for now. I'm just relaxing and repacking because I'm off to Topeka, Kansas tomorrow for the week but I'll keep you all updated weekly, hopefully!
Thanks for reading and keep in touch. I like getting text messages :)
LOVE,
Frannie
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