This weekend marked one week since the Christmas show I was in. It was truly and amazing experience to be on the palace stage. First off I'm going to start to give you a run down on tech week.

If any of you are involved in theater you may know tech week or in other words "hell" week! Why? Because this is the week where you either watch the show really take life or you will see it crash and burn. We start on Tuesday, we rehearsed our last time at Fieldcrest and this rehursal was not much of an indicator as most of us were quite comfortable there. Wednesday was our first night at the palace and we only ran Act 1. We left at 9:30 p.m, and it was not necessarily a long rehursal but we did get a lot done, maybe not on stage but off stage. My dressing room consisted of my mom in the show (Marilyn) my sister in the show (Maddi) and my aunt in the show (Janet).

During our breaks this night Marilyn and Maddi and I would sit down there and really just get to know each other better. We talked about everything under the sun. We had some much needed vent time, some time to just let our shoulders down and exhale."Mother cannot guide you. Now you're on your own. Only me beside you. Still, you're not alone." This quote from the song "No One is Alone" seemed to be a topic that came up within the dressing rooms quite often. Most conversations quite comforting.

Thursday was our longest

night i believe. Our whole cast had finally come and now it was a matter of figuring out the logistics. We didn't get off the stage until 11:45, quite a late night to say the least. Why did this take so long? Because to be honest we had never run the Second Act. It was a night to start

and stop. I loved every minute of it though, being on that stage was so amazing! Friday was our dress rehursal, we ran the show twice. The first time we ran it, it was HORRIBLE! So we ran it again, and naturally the second time was much better. After the show Maddi and I went to Marilyn and Kevin's house for the night. Marilyn made us some hot chocolate and then we all sat down to watch "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time. Maddi and i ended that very late night with a long talk about life and everything the stage means to us. I cherish conversations like this because i love learning life lessons and helping Little Maddi well she's not

so little anymore.

Saturday was an amazing day! The first show was my favorite though, because I just felt 100% into character, and i just loved the feeling i had on that stage. Like nothing I had ever felt before. After the first show we all hung out in the dressing rooms, and i was almost about to fall asleep when Maddi and i got the news there was a talent agent at the show. That day they told both of us that they were interested in us. Deborah shared in our excitement, but it soon wore off as i began to think of leaving all of these inspirational people. We finished the last song and I swear i left my heart on that stage. You may think i'm being dramatic, but it's only the truth. You can ask anyone at dinner that night, i was very distant because i couldn't stop thinking about the stage and how i felt on it. Apart of something, i felt like i finally fit in somewhere. I felt loved, by everyone who surrounded me, and i loved them more than anything for the lessons they taught me, and the laughs and tears we shared. And at midnight we all split our separate ways.

Without a doubt Sunday was the hardest day. If you left people who were like you're family, and you didn't know when you would see them again how would you feel? Why am I writing this? Because of a comment that really shook me this week. How can you not make a connection with your cast members??? Making friends is something that i know is hard for people and for the first time i really connected to this cast and i would hope people could understand that! The day after a show stings because you will miss all of the fun of just being on stage and because YOU MADE FRIENDS IN THE SHOW THAT YOU MIGHT JUST MISS! Though i wouldn't expect everyone to understand, you know if you have to hate on me because i had one down day then go for it, it might hurt for a day or two but you will get over it all. Until you have been in a show like this, you may never know what the day after a show feels like. So i would love it if you let me feel my feelings and let me get over it on my own or at least with the help of my family! Lecturing isn't going to change anything!

I miss the stage still, but i am over those feelings about the people because i know i will see them again soon. I had an amazing time on this show and i want to thank everyone who has believed in me and kept me going! YOU are the reason i keep going! Much love!

**NYC BOUND**

With A Little Help From My Friends

Guidance

© Jesi Manatrey

Some things are just too big For us to over see Some things are just impossible For us to ever be These things are not us They're just someone living inside We really are just teenagers Who have a hard time with our pride This is w

ho we all are We’re a different kind of group Sometimes we might do things That will through you through a loop But that’s how we are Messy and unstable Maybe we just need Some

one to guide us to the table.

I began with a poem that i am going to use for class to describe how we all feel a

t some point in our lives! Life throws so much at you, you cant always deal with it on your own. The picture above if from a church activity with another church in the area. To be honest i didn't really want to go at first ya know just nerves i guess, but can i tell you i haven't been so moved in one night in my life! At the worship service around midnight, the youth pastor from the other church had a message on how God knows us, all of the good, and all of the bad of course! We did an activity where he gave us a piece of paper with a few questions about everything he talked about, but it came very deep for me. We all have things that we wish had never happened and that night i could feel His arms around me as i cried for forgiveness.

The person who came to my side though that night was my youth pastor. Her and i have become more of friends, which at times makes me wonder. I don't want us being friends to interfere with her having adult friends in the church. I will say haw much i do appreciate her being there for me all of the time! It became apparent to me that night at the lock in how much having a friend your age in a youth setting can effect the experience. I know she was having a blast with all of the chaperons and likewise i was having a blast with the youth. I did give her a bit of crap for it at first, more like teasing saying "go hang out with your adult friends" or something like that which was very inappropriate on my part. But right when the tears came as i sat and cried to God she came over and tried to comfort me. There was so much emotion in me so much i wanted to tell her. I couldn't bring myself to do it, until last night. I told her everything, all of the pain and suffering. You know how good it feels to be able to confide in someone who is older than you? That can help you see past the the small stuff! I am so so so so so GRATEFUL for our interesting friendship.

To finish, the show is going AWESOME! I love the cast and crew! You should all plan to come see us on November 12th 2011 at the Palace Theater, with one show at 2 and one at 8. Ticters are $25, and so worth it!

God Bless!!!

Growing Pains

Life has gotten so crazy since I posted on here last! I finished out my year at Fieldcrest and to be honest I am so happy to be free of all the drama and "stuff". As i finished my freshman year in High School I was ready to give up singing and preforming forever! So I spent my summer working as a babysitter and a Counselor In Training at Camp Tippecanoe to try and find myself again, but i couldn't find myself there. I did learn A LOT though! Some was good some was bad, lost relationships with many of my old friends but made some amazing new ones! God was working in so many ways this summer! Well last night I found out someone I am very close to is moving back to her "Big city" where I can clearly see her heart is forever! I won't lie, when i got the message i did cry for quite awhile last night. I am so happy for her though that she is going back and will be happy!

So, I have been so blessed to have my director, teacher and dear friend Deb with me even though everything these past few months and all through 7th grade. You could see through all of her pictures from her trip to New York that she was truly at peace with herself!

I met Deb in 2008 at an acting class that my voice teacher recommended me for. What do I remember from that class? Deb asked us "when did the bug bite you?" I thought she was crazy so I gave so whacked up answer. Now i can tell you, that day was the day the bug bit me! I've been infected with the need to be on stage! Her and i bonded over this infection, and she has been there for me ever since. Even in my most dramatic moments there she is, waiting with open arms and ready to help with what ever she can. I am eternally grateful for that.

Two months ago she texted me and asked why i wasn't auditioning for her show and i came up with some silly excuse! Once we got into a deeper conversation she pulled me in, because i remembered how much i missed being on stage, and if anyone could help me it would be her. After my audition she told me I totally nailed the song and I finally felt it, everything I have been working for. Acceptance in the theater world, I did something right. High school theater is vicious, there's always someone better than me no matter what i do. Not here, not now! So now i am back in business as an actress currently in the show "An Old Fashioned Canton Christmas." as a lead family member that plays on November 12th at the Palace Theater!

So I'm growing up, slowly but surly as we all are. I just have to keep my head up and just keep believing and "Dare To Fail" as Deb says! I will miss you tons Deb, you may never know how much i appreciate you but have done so much for me! I will have an excuse to go to New York! You have made a difference in so many peoples lives! Love ya!

NEW YORK HERE I COME!

New York After Dark

Sorry about the lack of posts! But here is the latest "Preforming arts" news. I will be in a musical on March 23&24th! It is called New York After Dark! This will include music from hit musicals including, Wicked, Chours Line, Rent, Lion King, Spring Awakening, Tarzan and many more stay tuned to the 3 blogs I have Camp Tippecanoe Lovers, Rent the Musical and Preforming arts lover 4 more info!

Popular from wicked! With Glinda and elphaba!

Before the North Canton Middle School talent show.

hello family and friend This is my first post! I go to a preforming arts school and love the arts. There will be lots of videos and pic. hope you like it!